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Canada Rejects U.S. Annexation Talk as Joly Defends Sovereignty at G7 Summit

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Canada Rejects U.S. Annexation Talk as Joly Defends Sovereignty at G7 Summit

La Malbaie, Quebec – Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly delivered a firm message to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the conclusion of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting on Friday: Canada’s sovereignty is not up for discussion.

“What I said to the secretary is Canada’s sovereignty is not up for debate, period,” Joly stated during the closing news conference.

She emphasized that there was no room for negotiation. “There’s no argument, there’s no conversation about it, there’s no need to talk about it. You’re here, you respect us, you respect our sovereignty, you’re in our country, you respect our people. Period.”

Carney Responds: “America is Not Canada”

Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed Joly’s sentiments in his first news conference on Friday, strongly rejecting Rubio’s remarks.

“It’s crazy, his point is crazy. That’s it,” Carney said bluntly. “We will never, ever—in any way, shape, or form—be part of the United States. America is not Canada. We are a fundamentally different country.”

While Carney is set to visit France and the U.K. next week to meet with European leaders, he confirmed that he currently has no plans to travel to the United States. However, he noted that he looks forward to speaking with President Donald Trump in the future.

Joly: Canada’s Sovereignty “Not a Joke”

Joly’s remarks come after Trump reiterated his call for Canada to become part of the United States. Speaking from the White House on Thursday, Trump claimed that Canada’s independence was unnecessary.

“Canada only works as a state,” Trump stated. “We don’t need anything they have. As a state, it would be one of the great states.… If you look at a map, they drew an artificial line right through it, between Canada and the U.S., just a straight artificial line.… Makes no sense.”

Despite the diplomatic friction, Joly said that G7 ministers were committed to focusing on shared priorities. “We decided at the outset of the summit that we were not going to let issues we disagreed on prevent us from working together where we do align,” she said.

Rubio echoed that sentiment, stating that foreign policy often requires working with allies despite disagreements. “You have disagreements with people you like, or find yourself unaligned on an issue with a nation that you work with very closely on a bunch of other things,” he said.

Joly noted that many of her G7 counterparts initially viewed Trump’s remarks about annexing Canada as a joke but that she quickly corrected them. “I made it clear this is not something we find amusing. Canada’s sovereignty is not a joke,” she said.

Canada Seeks to Strengthen Trade Ties Beyond the U.S.

Looking ahead, Joly stressed the need for Canada to reduce economic dependence on the United States and bolster trade within its own borders and with other nations.

“To soften the blow of tariffs being imposed on Canada, provinces need to get rid of internal commercial barriers to boost the flow of interprovincial trade,” she explained.

She also reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to diversifying its trade relationships. “Canada wants to foster new partnerships in the world. We want to be closer to Europe, we want to be closer to Britain. We need to diversify our economy.”

G7 Stands United on Ukraine

On the issue of Ukraine, Joly stated that the G7 is united in supporting a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, which has been endorsed by Kyiv and is now awaiting a response from Moscow.

“Ultimately, the ball is now in Russia’s court when it comes to Ukraine,” she said.

Trump later stated on Friday that there is a “very good chance” of ending the war following discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also claimed that he had personally requested Putin to spare the lives of “completely surrounded” Ukrainian troops in Kursk, Russia, signaling possible diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation.

As tensions over trade, sovereignty, and global conflicts continue to rise, Canada’s government remains firm in its stance against U.S. annexation rhetoric while seeking to strengthen its global partnerships.

SOURCE : AP NEWS/CBC CANADA |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

US imposes visa sanctions on Thai officials for deporting Uyghurs to China

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US imposes visa sanctions on Thai officials for deporting Uyghurs to China

Washington, USA – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday sanctions against Thai officials for their role in deporting at least 40 Uyghurs to China, where Washington warns they face persecution.

The U.S. remains “committed to combating China’s efforts to pressure governments to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China, where they are subject to torture and enforced disappearances,” the State Department said in a statement. The move is seen as an effort to discourage Thailand and other nations from similar deportations.

RELATED NEWS : Thailand deports 40 Uyghurs to China despite UN warnings and international backlash

Analysts note that Washington has previously avoided tougher sanctions against Thailand, a longtime ally, due to concerns that such actions might push the country closer to China.

The Washington-based advocacy group Campaign for Uyghurs praised Rubio’s decision and the Trump administration, stating that it “sends a strong message that those who enable the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) human rights abuses will face consequences.”

Rubio, a staunch advocate for Uyghur rights during his tenure as a U.S. senator, reaffirmed that Beijing’s treatment of the Uyghurs constitutes “genocide and crimes against humanity,” a designation the U.S. first made in 2021 during the final days of President Donald Trump’s first term.

Diplomatic Tensions and China’s Response

China has repeatedly denied allegations of abuse and forced labor involving Uyghurs, instead claiming that it has established “vocational training centers” to combat terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism.

While the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Thailand in the past—including suspending military aid after coups and targeting individuals and companies for violating sanctions on third countries—experts suggest that this is the first time Thai government officials have been directly sanctioned. The officials targeted in Rubio’s announcement were not named.

Thailand’s February deportation of the Uyghurs, who had been detained for a decade, proceeded despite warnings from United Nations human rights experts that they could face torture, ill-treatment, and “irreparable harm” upon their return to China. Reuters recently reported that Canada and the U.S. had offered to resettle 48 ethnic Uyghurs, but Bangkok declined, fearing diplomatic repercussions from Beijing.

“I am immediately implementing this policy by taking steps to impose visa restrictions on current and former Thai government officials responsible for, or complicit in, the forced return of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand on February 27,” Rubio stated.

“In light of China’s longstanding acts of genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs, we call on governments worldwide not to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China,” he added. The sanctions may also extend to family members of those targeted, according to the State Department.

Thailand’s Response and Economic Considerations

Thailand has defended the deportations, asserting that it acted in accordance with its laws and human rights obligations. Its embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Rubio’s announcement.

Murray Hiebert, a leading regional expert with the Southeast Asia program at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that Thailand is highly sensitive to criticism. However, its reaction to the sanctions could be tempered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats to impose tariffs on countries with significant trade surpluses with the U.S.

“They might want to lay low,” Hiebert remarked. “They already have a target on their back by having the 11th largest trade surplus with the U.S. … it’s not clear Thailand is out of the woods yet when Trump imposes reciprocal tariffs in early April.”

The sanctions add to the growing diplomatic strain between the U.S., Thailand, and China, as geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise.

SOURCE : REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Mark Carney sworn in as Canada’s prime minister, vows to cooperate with Trump

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Mark Carney sworn in as Canada’s prime minister, vows to cooperate with Trump

Ottawa, Canada – Mark Carney, former central banker, was officially sworn in as Canada’s prime minister on Friday, immediately signaling his willingness to work with U.S. President Donald Trump despite looming tariff threats that could severely impact the Canadian economy.

Carney, 59, takes over from Justin Trudeau, whose relationship with Trump was often tense and combative. In contrast, Carney made it clear he intends to adopt a more diplomatic approach.

RELATED NEWS : Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Officially Resigns

Mark Carney arrives before being sworn-in as Canada’s 24th prime minister, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, March 14, 2025. Photo : Patrick Doyle/REUTERS

“We respect President Trump—he has placed important issues at the top of his agenda. We understand his priorities,” Carney told reporters after being sworn in, emphasizing his past experience working with Trump in international meetings. “In many respects, part of my experience overlaps with that of the President—we’re both looking out for our countries. But he knows, and I know from long experience, that we can find mutual solutions that benefit both sides.”

While Carney stated he had no immediate plans to speak with Trump, he firmly dismissed recent discussions within the Trump administration about annexing Canada as “crazy.”

A Reshaped Cabinet for U.S. Relations

Carney wasted no time in restructuring his 24-member cabinet, prioritizing experienced hands in international affairs. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc will take over the international trade portfolio, while current Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne will step into the role of finance minister. Mélanie Joly will remain as foreign minister.

The move reflects Carney’s strategic focus on managing Canada’s fraught relationship with Washington. Canada has recently strengthened its alliances in Europe as relations with the U.S. have hit historic lows. Carney plans to visit London and Paris next week as part of this effort.

A Historic Rise to Power

Carney’s ascent to the premiership is notable as he becomes the first Canadian prime minister without significant political experience. His leadership victory on Sunday saw him decisively defeat rivals to take control of the ruling Liberal Party, replacing Trudeau after more than nine years in office.

Chrystia Freeland, the former finance minister whose surprise resignation in December triggered a political crisis that contributed to Trudeau’s downfall, will now serve as transport minister.

Carney, who previously led both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, successfully argued that his outsider status and crisis-management experience made him the best choice to navigate the turbulent relationship with Trump.

“We will never, ever in any way, shape, or form be part of the United States,” Carney declared, pushing back against Trump’s annexation rhetoric.

An Election on the Horizon?

Carney’s government may not be in place for long. Liberal Party insiders suggest he is likely to call a snap election within the next two weeks. If he does not, opposition parties have signaled they will unite to force a confidence vote by the end of March, which could topple his minority government.

Once an election is called, Carney’s ability to make major policy decisions will be restricted, as convention dictates that sitting governments in campaign mode refrain from significant actions.

Current polling suggests a tight race between the Liberals and the opposition Conservatives, with neither party projected to secure a majority government.

The Conservatives had previously held a significant lead in the polls, fueled by widespread dissatisfaction over rising living costs and a worsening housing crisis. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre wasted no time in criticizing Carney’s administration.

“100% of Carney’s ministers were in Trudeau’s caucus—helping hike carbon taxes and double the debt, housing costs, and food bank lineups,” Poilievre posted on X (formerly Twitter). “A Liberal is a Liberal is a Liberal.”

As Carney navigates his first days in office, all eyes will be on his next moves—both in Ottawa and on the world stage.

SOURCE : REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Turkey-Israel Tensions Eased by U.S. Diplomacy ?

Elis Hadi
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Turkey-Israel Tensions Eased by U.S. Diplomacy ?

Washington/Ankara – Turkey’s long-standing involvement in the Syrian conflict, rooted in its creation of the “Free Syrian Army” (FSA)—widely seen as a rebranded Syrian Muslim Brotherhood—has been driven by an ambitious Neo-Ottoman ideology under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

This vision, bolstered by propaganda maps of a “New Turkey” that annexes Kurdish regions of Syria and Iraq, has faced significant hurdles, exposing cracks in Turkey’s strategy and its alignment with NATO.

RELATED NEWS : Resistance Builds Against Turkish-Backed Rule in Syria, Citing Human Rights Violations

Turkey’s initial plan leaned heavily on NATO’s backing, which had historically supported Ankara’s fight against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). However, the maturation of Kurdish forces—both politically and militarily—disrupted this calculus. The Kurds, once a missing piece in Turkey and NATO’s strategy, emerged as a formidable power, challenging Ankara’s designs.

Erdogan’s confidence soared with the state-sponsored rise of Salafist Islamist groups, a role Turkey assumed after the U.S. faltered in similar efforts with Afghanistan’s mujahideen. The U.S.-backed “Train+Equip” program, with camps based in Turkey and recruits handpicked by Ankara, gave birth to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group critics call a Turco-Syrian Al Qaeda. Many of its top leaders reportedly hold Turkish citizenship, underscoring the deep ties. Erdogan boasted that within six months he would pray in Damascus’s Ummayad Mosque—a promise yet unfulfilled.

HTS, under leader Al Jolani, gained gradual promotion from Turkey and NATO. A leaked 2012 email from Jake Sullivan to Hillary Clinton famously claimed, “Al Qaeda is on our side,” hinting at a pragmatic alignment. Yet, the program’s graduates often defected to Al Qaeda and ISIS, failing to subdue the Kurds and complicating Turkey’s war against them.

The U.S., initially hesitant, shifted to support the Kurds to counterbalance the “Syrian Islamization project” Turkey envisioned—an Islamic Republic to bolster Erdogan’s threats of invading Israel in support of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. At a recent rally, as crowds chanted for Erdogan to “send us to Jerusalem,” he urged patience, signaling a long-term gambit.

Israel, meanwhile, began warming to the Kurds and Druze, viewing them as potential allies amid rising tensions with Turkey. This shift came as Turkey resumed attacks on Syrian Kurds—despite their citizens holding high posts in Syria’s new government—while HTS targeted minorities like the Alawites (10-15% of Syria’s population), undermining the “New Syria” project.

The escalating chaos has rung alarm bells in Washington. Turkey’s refusal to integrate Kurds into national unity talks, coupled with HTS’s declaration of no elections for four years and no constitutional drafting, threatens Syria’s cohesion. The group’s Salafist ideology has fueled attacks on “others,” with some even vowing to strike PKK headquarters in Iraq’s Qandil Mountains.

Enter U.S. diplomacy: Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia delivering a firm message—halt threats against Israel and ensure Kurdish representation in Syria. Behind-the-scenes efforts paid off when General Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), signed a peace deal with HTS’s Al Shaara, affirming “Syrian unity.” The U.S. breathed a sigh of relief, averting an all-out war Erdogan had warned would follow any Kurdish statehood.

For now, Washington hopes to restrain Turkey and its HTS proxies, softening their stance on the Kurds and averting Syria’s dismemberment. Yet, Erdogan’s Neo-Ottoman dreams—and his reliance on radical groups—remain a volatile wildcard in an already fractured region.

SOURCE : AA |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

9,000 Syrians Seek Shelter at Russia’s Hmeimim Airbase Amid Post-Assad Unrest

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9,000 Syrians Seek Shelter at Russia’s Hmeimim Airbase Amid Post-Assad Unrest

Damascus, Syria – The Russian airbase at Hmeimim in Syria is currently sheltering approximately 9,000 people fleeing a surge of sectarian violence, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced on Thursday, as reported by Reuters.

Hmeimim remains one of two strategic military bases in Syria that Russia is striving to retain, despite the overthrow of its long-time ally, former president Bashar Al-Assad, by Syrian rebels in December.

RELATED NEWS : Death toll rises in Syria to 1,311, including 830 civilians, says war monitor

“They were seeking refuge, simply understanding that it was a matter of life and death,” Zakharova told reporters. She noted that the majority of those taking shelter at the base were women and children.

The ongoing sectarian violence has escalated tensions between Syria’s interim government security forces and fighters from Assad’s Alawite minority. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, hundreds of Alawite civilians have been killed in apparent retaliatory attacks following clashes with government forces. Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has warned that these killings pose a serious threat to Syria’s national unity.

The fall of Assad, whom Moscow had supported for years during Syria’s civil war, has significantly weakened Russia’s strategic foothold in the Middle East. In response, Russia is working to establish diplomatic ties with the new Syrian leadership under Al-Sharaa, though the future of its military presence at Hmeimim and the Tartus naval facility remains uncertain.

Zakharova emphasized that Russia is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its citizens and military installations in Syria. She stated that Moscow is in close communication with Arab states, Turkiye, and Iran in an effort to facilitate long-term stability in the region. Expressing Russia’s deep concern over the recent violence, she added that Moscow expects those responsible to be held accountable.

As the crisis unfolds, the fate of thousands of displaced civilians and Russia’s role in Syria’s future remains in question.

SOURCE : AFP |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan Finalize Historic Border Agreement

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Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan Finalize Historic Border Agreement

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan cemented a historic border agreement, a transformative step toward stability in Central Asia after three decades of tension over land and water resources. The signing, held in Bishkek, followed a formal ceremony welcoming Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, who arrived for high-level talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

The agreement, resolving disputes that last flared violently in autumn 2022, marks a new era for the two former Soviet republics and allies of Russia.

RELATED NEWS : Kazakhstan hosts 2nd Germany-Central Asia summit in capital Astana

“From now and forever, the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will be the border of eternal friendship,” Japarov affirmed in a joint statement with Rahmon.

The accord, signed after inter-delegation negotiations, delineates their approximately 1,000-kilometer shared frontier—dotted with Soviet-era enclaves—and includes a territorial exchange. Kyrgyzstan will gain about 25 square kilometers (nearly 10 square miles) from Tajikistan, in return for equivalent land or enhanced access to shared water resources, Kyrgyz authorities confirmed. Roads along the border are designated neutral, and both sides pledged unimpeded use of agricultural and energy facilities in the region.

The ceremony underscored practical outcomes: direct air links, halted since May 2021, resumed with a Dushanbe-Bishkek flight by Tajikistan’s Somon Air landing at Manas International Airport, as announced by Kyrgyzstan Airports Inc. spokesperson Alena Khomenko on social media. “I hope that soon bus services will also start, and our people will be able to meet each other,” Japarov added, signaling plans for further connectivity. The border, closed for nearly four years, will also reopen, alongside restored road and rail links.

Rahmon hailed the “historic” deal, finalized 33 years after the Soviet Union’s collapse, as a triumph of diplomacy. The leaders signed 16 documents, including a joint declaration on strengthening friendship and neighborly ties, with energy cooperation at the forefront.

They committed to boosting mutual trade to $500 million and accelerating the CASA-1000 project, a Central Asia-South Asia electricity trade initiative that will integrate their energy systems and open export opportunities. Industrial collaboration, particularly joint ventures for processing agricultural products aimed at Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) markets, was also prioritized. Japarov further pledged support for preserving Tajik native languages in Kyrgyzstan and backing civil society organizations.

The agreement’s roots trace to a February 21, 2025, protocol by security chiefs Kamchybek Tashiev and Saimumin Yatimov, which resolved contentious areas like the Tajik enclave of Vorukh and the Kyrgyz village of Dostuk, now ceded to Tajikistan. Japarov’s cabinet underscored its broader impact: “This accord will strengthen security, stability, and sustainable development in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and all of Central Asia.”

Global reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. The United States, United Nations, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—including China, Russia, and most Central Asian states—praised the deal. China, a key regional player via its New Silk Roads infrastructure initiative, sees it as enhancing trade routes to Europe. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry also congratulated the nations, stating, “We hope this agreement, born from close dialogue at the highest level, will contribute to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.”

This milestone aligns with a wave of border resolutions among Central Asia’s five ex-Soviet states—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—bolstering a region rich in resources and strategically positioned. Awaiting parliamentary ratification, widely expected to pass smoothly, the deal eliminates a major source of instability, promising to end local disputes and accelerate economic and social progress in border areas. For Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, it transforms a once-volatile frontier into a bridge for enduring peace and prosperity.

SOURCE: GAZETA UZ/AFP | Follow Us:  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | BY Derya SOYSAL

Azerbaijan and Armenia Finalize Peace Treaty, Yerevan will Drops Territorial Claims

Shasi Kumar
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Azerbaijan and Armenia Finalize Peace Treaty, Yerevan will Drops Territorial Claims

Baku/Tbilisi – Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on the final text of a peace treaty to formally end their decades-long conflict over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Both sides are now discussing the date and venue for the signing, marking a crucial step toward lasting stability in the region.

“The work on the text has been completed,” Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said, adding that Armenia had accepted Azerbaijan’s proposals on two outstanding issues.

RELATED NEWS : Turkey-Israel Tensions Eased by U.S. Diplomacy ?

Armenia’s foreign ministry also confirmed that representatives of both countries had reached a consensus on the treaty. “Armenia is willing to start consultations with Azerbaijan regarding the date and place of the signing,” the ministry said.

Previously, the two nations had agreed on 15 of the 17 articles of the treaty, with unresolved matters concerning legal complaints before international courts and the presence of foreign forces along their shared border.

The peace negotiations trace back to an April 2022 meeting in Brussels, where Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev agreed to launch talks and establish a joint border commission.

Pashinyan hailed the completion of the treaty’s text as an “important event” and reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to allowing Azerbaijan transit access to Nakhchivan, one of Baku’s key demands, provided that Armenian sovereignty over the transit routes is respected.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has conditioned the treaty’s signing on amendments to Armenia’s constitution, which Baku claims threatens its territorial integrity.

Pashinyan, however, has rejected this assertion, stating that Armenia’s constitution contains no territorial claims over Azerbaijan, whereas Azerbaijan’s constitution does include such claims over Armenian territory.

Pashinyan also argued that the peace treaty, once signed, would override national legislation, helping to resolve these lingering disputes.

The nearly 1,000-km border between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains undefined due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which erupted following the Soviet Union’s collapse.

The two countries have fought two wars over the enclave, one won by Armenia in 1994 and the second by Azerbaijan in 2020. Russia’s TASS state news agency cited Pashinyan as telling journalists on Thursday that the agreement would prevent personnel from third countries deploying along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

That provision would likely cover a European Union civilian monitoring mission that Baku has criticised, as well as Russian border guards who police parts of Armenia’s frontiers.
The outbreak of hostilities in the late 1980s prompted mass expulsions of hundreds of thousands of mostly Muslim Azeris from Armenia and Armenians, who are majority Christian, from Azerbaijan.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

Trump vows 200% tariff on EU wine in escalating trade war

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Trump vows 200% tariff on EU wine in escalating trade war

Washington, US – US President Donald Trump Thursday threatened to slap a 200 percent tariff on European wine and spirits in retaliation for Brussels’ plan to tax American whiskey imports, a move that risks deepening the ongoing transatlantic trade dispute.

Declaring the European Union was “created to take advantage” of the US, Trump warned that unless the bloc backs down, the steep levies will take effect, a decision that could send shockwaves through the global alcoholic beverage industry.

RELATED NEWS : Trump Pauses 25% Tariffs on U.S. Imports from Mexico and Canada Until April 2

“If this tariff is not removed immediately, the US will shortly place a 200 percent tariff on all wines, champagnes, and alcoholic products coming out of France and other EU represented countries. This will be great for the wine and champagne businesses in the US,” the president wrote on his social network Truth Social.

The US threat comes after the EU on Wednesday announced measures in response to the 25% tariffs activated by Washington on Tuesday on all steel and aluminum exported to the US.

Brussels has said it will tax US imports worth up to 26 billion euros (about $28,165 billion), which means reactivating tariffs on American whiskey that the EU had already implemented during Trump’s first term (2017-2021).

Representatives of the alcoholic beverage sector in both the US and the EU said that the exchange of retaliatory tariffs from Washington and Brussels could have devastating effects on the industry.

A 200 percent tariff, as threatened by Trump, would be particularly damaging to the European wine sector, as it is the main alcoholic beverage that the bloc sells to the US.

Nearly 10 percent of all wine produced in the EU – 80 percent of it in Spain, France and Italy – is exported to the US, according to the European Commission.

Since Trump’s return to the White House on Jan 20, he has aggressively implemented tariffs on imports from US partners to correct what he considers unfair trade deficits for Washington, to attract foreign corporate capital investment, or as a pressure measure to reduce the flow of immigration or fentanyl.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

They traveled across the world to reach the U.S. Now, deported under Trump, they’re stranded in Panama

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They traveled across the world to reach the U.S. Now, deported under Trump, they’re stranded in Panama

Panama City, Panama — On March 13, 2025, dozens of migrants who traversed oceans and jungles to reach the United States found themselves abandoned at a bus station in Panama’s capital. These individuals, fleeing conflict, religious persecution, poverty, and government crackdowns in countries like Afghanistan, Somalia, Cameroon, China, Pakistan, and Iran, had risked everything to seek safety and opportunity.

After enduring perilous journeys through Central and South America, they were detained by U.S. authorities and deported on military aircraft to Panama as part of President Donald Trump’s accelerated deportation efforts targeting complex destinations.

Originally intended as a temporary stopover, Panama became a dead end for many unwilling to return to their home countries due to well-founded fears of persecution or death. For weeks, they were held in a guarded camp in the Darién jungle—the same treacherous region many had crossed on their northward trek—without access to lawyers or clear information.

Facing mounting legal pressure and human rights criticism, the Panamanian government released them over the past week, giving them just 30 days to determine their next move. Here are the real stories of some of these deportees, shared with The Associated Press:

Isha Len, a migrant of Cameroon, poses for a photo in Panama City, Monday, March 10, 2025, after being deported from the U.S., detained for weeks in a Panamanian immigration camp, and released on a temporary humanitarian visa allowing a 30‑day stay. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Isha Len, 29, Cameroon

Isha Len fled her small town in Cameroon when conflict erupted, leaving her life as a schoolteacher behind. She traveled by car and minibus across Cameroon before a fisherman friend smuggled her by boat to Nigeria, a grueling four-hour journey. From there, she flew to São Paulo, Brazil, where authorities detained her for a month at the airport. Undeterred, Len joined other migrants heading north by bus through South America until they reached the Darién Gap.

She spent days walking through the notorious jungle separating Colombia and Panama, battling exhaustion and danger. After emerging, she boarded buses through Central America but was kidnapped by a gang in Guatemala for days before escaping. In southern Mexico, she took a boat along the Pacific coast to avoid authorities, eventually riding eight hours to Mexico City and onward to Tijuana. Crossing into the U.S., she surrendered to authorities, hoping for asylum. Instead, she was deported to Panama.

“It feels like the whole world is crushing down on me,” Len said, her voice heavy with despair. “I risked everything, my life, everything, crossing the Darién Gap, just to be sent back.”

Artemis Ghasemzadeh, a migrant from Iran, poses for a portrait in Panama City, Monday, March 10, 2025, after being deported from the United States, detained for weeks in a Panamanian immigration camp, and released on a temporary humanitarian visa allowing a 30‑day stay. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Artemis Ghasemzadeh, 27, Iran

Artemis Ghasemzadeh fled Iran in January 2025 after converting from Islam to Christianity—a choice punishable by death under Iranian law. She first escaped to Dubai, staying two weeks, then flew to South Korea. After securing a flight to Mexico City, she spent three weeks there before traveling to Tijuana. On February 9—her birthday—she crossed the U.S. border, only to be detained for five days.

Deported to Panama, Ghasemzadeh now faces an uncertain fate. “For changing your religion, your punishment is death,” she said, her eyes reflecting fear and exhaustion. “We don’t know what will happen.”

Samin Haider, left, a migrant from Pakistan, and his cousin Saqlain Sayed, pose for a portrait in Panama City, Monday, March 10, 2025, after being deported from the United States, detained for weeks in a Panamanian immigration camp, and released on a temporary humanitarian visa allowing a 30‑day stay. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Samin Haider, 21, Pakistan

Samin Haider left Pakistan in 2023 after escalating violence in Parachinar, a region near Afghanistan torn apart by decades of sectarian conflict between Shi’ite and Sunni Muslim communities. He spent a year and a half in Dubai until the United Arab Emirates canceled visas for Pakistanis, forcing him to move on. Haider flew to Mexico and made his way to the U.S.-Mexico border, seeking asylum from the chaos he’d fled.

Now stranded in Panama, Haider clings to his dream of reaching the U.S. “I can’t go back,” he told reporters, his determination unshaken despite the setback.

Afghan migrant Hayatullah Omagh poses for a portrait in Panama City, Monday, March 10, 2025, after being deported from the United States, detained for weeks in a Panamanian immigration camp and released on a temporary humanitarian visa allowing a 30‑day stay. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Hayatullah Omagh, 29, Afghanistan

Hayatullah Omagh fled Afghanistan in 2022 after the Taliban’s takeover, fearing for his life as an atheist and member of an ethnic minority. He first sought refuge in Pakistan, securing a six-month visa, but struggled to renew it with his Afghan passport. Moving to Iran, he worked for a year and a half, but the country refused to recognize him as a refugee. In 2024, he obtained a visa to Brazil, which had opened its doors to some Afghans post-Taliban resurgence, and landed in São Paulo.

Determined to join friends and family in the U.S., Omagh paid smugglers to guide him through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. He endured the Darién Gap’s punishing terrain before taking buses through Central America to southern Mexico. Mexican authorities detained and deported him back south multiple times, but he persisted, eventually flying to Mexico City and then to the U.S. border—only to be detained and sent to Panama.

“I don’t know where to go now,” Omagh said, staring blankly at the bustling Panama City bus station. “I’ve been running for years.”

These deportees, among nearly 300 sent to Panama, now face a stark reality: 30 days to find a new destination or risk further displacement. Human rights advocates argue their treatment violates international norms, while Panama’s government insists it’s cooperating with the U.S. to deter migration. For individuals like Len, Ghasemzadeh, Haider, and Omagh, the journey that spanned continents has ended in limbo, their futures hanging by a thread.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Russia says it awaits US information before accepting ceasefire with Ukraine

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Russia says it awaits US information before accepting ceasefire with Ukraine

Moscow, Russia – The Kremlin said on Wednesday it had not yet responded to the 30-day ceasefire proposal already accepted by Ukraine as it awaits a briefing by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the results of negotiations with Kyiv in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

“We expect, as was said yesterday in Jeddah, Secretary of State Rubio and National Security Adviser Waltz to inform us through various channels about the details of the negotiations and the understanding reached in the coming days,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told his daily press briefing.

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Peskov stressed that Moscow needed to receive the details before making any decisions, adding that Russia planned to hold contacts with US officials in this regard.

“First, we must receive this information. We also have contacts with the Americans planned for these days, during which we expect to have complete information,” he said.

The Kremlin spokesman said Moscow wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a “telephone conversation” at the highest level between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, if necessary, as the current channels of dialogue between the two countries would make it possible in a short time.

Speaking at the end of talks in Jeddah on Tuesday, Trump expressed confidence that his Russian counterpart would also agree to a ceasefire.

“Ukraine has agreed to it, and hopefully Russia will agree to it. I think the ceasefire is very important. If we can get Russia to do it, that’ll be great. If we can’t, we just keep going on, and people are going to get killed—lots of people,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

As part of the first round of negotiations with the US in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Kyiv agreed to a 30-day ceasefire along the entire front on the condition that Moscow also accept the truce.

“Ukraine is ready to accept this proposal. We see it as a positive step and are ready to take it. Now, it is up to the United States to convince Russia to do the same. If Russia agrees, the ceasefire will take effect immediately,” Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Putin rejected this possibility several months ago, as did Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week, who also ruled out the possible deployment of European peacekeepers in Ukraine.

According to Russian sources, Ukrainian troops are reportedly withdrawing from the Kursk border region, which has been partially under their control since Aug. 2024 and is one of the main obstacles to future peace negotiations.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

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