Liberty Case

Washington, USA – United States President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa clashed during a tense meeting at the White House on Wednesday, centered around Trump’s allegations of a “genocide” against white Afrikaner farmers in South Africa—a claim strongly rejected by Ramaphosa.

The Oval Office encounter, one of the most fraught presidential meetings since Trump’s February confrontation with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, focused largely on Trump’s assertion that white South African farmers are being persecuted. Despite his administration’s strict cuts to refugee admissions, the U.S. recently granted asylum to several Afrikaner families, fueling the dispute.

Trump introduced Ramaphosa as a “respected, though sometimes controversial figure,” while Ramaphosa called for a “reset” in bilateral relations between the two countries.

Clash Over Refugee Claims

Tensions escalated when reporters pressed Trump about the arrival of Afrikaner refugees in the U.S. Trump insisted that these white farmers are fleeing violence and demanded answers.

“These are white farmers fleeing South Africa. It’s very sad. We want answers,” Trump stated.

Ramaphosa firmly denied the existence of any “Afrikaner genocide,” urging Trump to engage directly with South Africans for a clearer perspective.

“If there were a genocide, I assure you these people wouldn’t be here, including my own agriculture minister,” Ramaphosa said, highlighting Afrikaner members of his delegation.

Trump responded by showing a five-minute video alleging violence against white farmers, including clips of African politicians purportedly encouraging attacks and images of crosses and graves symbolizing murdered farmers.

“I’d like to know where that is because I haven’t seen it,” Ramaphosa replied, visibly unsettled. He acknowledged South Africa’s high crime rates but emphasized that most victims are Black, not white.

Regarding land reform, Ramaphosa noted the Constitution protects property rights while allowing land expropriation for public interest, reflecting ongoing efforts to rectify apartheid-era inequalities.

“They’re being executed, and they’re white, mostly farmers. I don’t know how else to explain it,” Trump insisted.

At one point, Ramaphosa lightened the mood with a joke: “I don’t have a plane to give you,” referencing a private jet gifted to Trump by Qatar, which the U.S. accepted earlier that day.

Golf Diplomacy and Diplomatic Fallout

Tensions eased somewhat when famed Afrikaner golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, admired by Trump and part of the South African delegation, intervened without supporting the genocide claims.

Relations between Washington and Pretoria have been strained recently, with the arrival of 49 Afrikaner refugees in the U.S. adding to the friction.

In March, Trump suspended all U.S. aid to South Africa, accusing the country of land seizures targeting white farmers and of adopting an anti-Israel stance at the International Court of Justice, where South Africa has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. South Africa’s new expropriation law allows land seizures without compensation in certain cases to address historical injustices.

Also in March, South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, was expelled after publicly criticizing Trump.

Citing ongoing “discrimination against Afrikaners,” Trump has vowed to boycott any G20 events hosted by South Africa, which is scheduled to hold the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg on November 22–23.

“Without the United States, I don’t think it’s much of a summit anymore,” Trump declared.

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

Kyiv, Ukraine – The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland gathered in Kyiv on Saturday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, presenting a united front just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his allies at Moscow’s Victory Day parade in Red Square.

At the center of the summit is a joint U.S.-European proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. A French diplomatic source noted that while the proposal hasn’t been finalized, failure by Moscow to agree could trigger fresh coordinated sanctions.

RELATED NEWS : Trump, Zelensky, Lula, Milei, and other world leaders attend Pope Francis’ funeral

The visit marks the first time British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have jointly traveled to Ukraine.

In a joint statement, the four leaders urged Russia to accept a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, calling it a necessary step toward meaningful peace negotiations. As their train—dubbed the “Bravery Express”—arrived in Kyiv, Zelenskiy welcomed them and accompanied them to a memorial honoring fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

The meeting takes place at a volatile moment in the conflict, now in its fourth year. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has reversed many of his predecessor’s policies since taking office in January, is pressing for a swift resolution. After a rocky start—including clashes with Zelenskiy and a brief suspension of military aid—Trump’s administration has repaired relations with Kyiv and signed a hard-won mineral resources agreement.

Trump has expressed growing impatience with Moscow’s reluctance to move toward a ceasefire. He has threatened stronger sanctions while cautioning that he could abandon peace efforts if there’s no progress. Both Trump and the EU have echoed the call for a 30-day ceasefire, with Zelenskiy stating he’s prepared to implement it immediately.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia supports the idea “in principle,” but insisted on unspecified “nuances.” In a Saturday interview with ABC, Peskov suggested that Western military support for Ukraine would need to end in order for a ceasefire to be fair, calling it otherwise an “advantage for Ukraine.”

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Western military aid has been crucial to Ukraine’s defense.

On Friday, Putin hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders at a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s WWII victory, signaling defiance and a rejection of isolation. Meanwhile, European officials reiterated support for establishing a special tribunal to prosecute Russian leaders for crimes of aggression. Zelenskiy condemned Putin’s event as a “parade of bile and lies.”

On the eve of the summit, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv warned of a potentially significant Russian air assault, advising Americans to be prepared to seek shelter if sirens sound.

“There’s much to discuss—we need a just peace, and we must push Moscow toward a ceasefire,” said Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, sharing photos of the leaders arriving in Kyiv.

The summit is expected to culminate in a joint press conference and a virtual session with other allied leaders to outline plans for a postwar coalition involving air, land, and sea forces to help rebuild Ukraine’s military.

This diplomatic push comes as Putin’s May 8–10 ceasefire—rejected by Ukraine as a sham—draws to a close. Both sides have accused each other of violations. Reuters journalists at a frontline field hospital in the Zaporizhzhia region witnessed soldiers arriving with injuries sustained during the declared truce.

“There’s been no ceasefire. Shelling, drones, and bombing have continued as usual,” said a wounded soldier, Stanislav.

Zelenskiy said in a Thursday call with Trump that agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire would be a “true sign” of progress toward peace.

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

Washington, D.C. — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board has approved a new $1.4 billion loan to Pakistan under its Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), aimed at strengthening the country’s climate resilience. Simultaneously, the board completed the first review of Pakistan’s ongoing $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), freeing up an additional $1 billion in immediate financial support.

RELATED NEWS : India-Pakistan Conflicts : Terror Attack and Rising Tensions Threaten the Dream of the Asian Century

The IMF praised Pakistan’s recent economic reforms and stabilization efforts, stating:
“Pakistan’s policy efforts under the program have already delivered significant progress in stabilizing the economy and rebuilding confidence, amidst a challenging global environment.”

The approvals come as a major financial boost for Pakistan, which is grappling with mounting climate threats and economic headwinds, including high inflation, fiscal pressures, and external financing gaps.

Shehbaz: “India’s sabotage attempt failed”

Reacting to the development, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement that “India’s attempts to sabotage the IMF program have failed.” He emphasized that the staff-level agreements on both programs — the climate resilience loan and the EFF review — were finalized before the current rise in hostilities between India and Pakistan.

The statement is seen as a direct response to India’s objections raised during the IMF board’s deliberations, where Indian representatives voiced concerns about potential misuse of the funds, especially in light of recent cross-border tensions.

Critical support amid uncertainty

The $1.4 billion climate loan under the RSF is designed to help Pakistan better prepare for and adapt to climate-related disasters, while the $1 billion released from the EFF will support macroeconomic stabilization and fiscal reforms. The dual disbursement is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s credibility with international lenders and provide a cushion for its fragile economy.

As regional tensions continue to simmer, the IMF’s backing underscores the importance of keeping economic cooperation distinct from geopolitical disputes.

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