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US says to impose 100% tariffs on China

By
IFP Media Wire
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On Thursday, Beijing announced new export controls of certain strategic minerals that have dual-use in military applications, saying the move was intended to protect national security and meet international obligations, including those related to non-proliferation.

In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump stated that China has taken “an extremely hostile position on trade” by sending a global letter declaring plans to implement “large scale export controls on virtually every product they make, and some not even made by them.” The measures, according to the president, would affect all countries “without exception”.

“Based on the fact that China has taken this unprecedented position… the United States of America will impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” Trump wrote.

He added that Washington would also impose export controls on “any and all critical software” starting the same day.

In August, the US and China agreed to extend a tariff truce following a trade war in which the two nations repeatedly slapped increasingly harsher tariffs on each other. The 90-day pause has seen US tariffs on Chinese goods fall from 145% to 30%, and Chinese tariffs on American products drop from 125% to 10%. The extension expires in November.

Trump described China’s move as “absolutely unheard of in international trade” and “a moral disgrace in dealing with other nations”. He stated that he is speaking “only for the U.S.A., and not other nations who were similarly threatened”.

The president’s announcement sent shockwaves through global markets, sending US stocks down on Friday. The S&P 500 slid 2.7%, marking its biggest one-day loss since April, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 900 points, or 1.9%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq plunged 3.6% as investors fled high-growth stocks seen as most exposed to Chinese supply chains.

Trump has also threatened to cancel a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that was scheduled to take place in two weeks at the APEC summit in South Korea.

 

Putin says Russia to unveil new weapon soon

By
IFP Media Wire
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Speaking on Friday at a press conference in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, Putin said: “I think we will have the opportunity in the near future to break some news about a new weapon that we announced a long time ago.”

The Russian president added that the novel system “is undergoing tests [which] are proceeding successfully.”

When asked about the prospect of extending the New START arms-control treaty, which puts a cap on American and Russian strategic offensive weapons, and is set to expire on February 5, 2026, Putin expressed optimism, saying there is still enough time to prolong the accord, “as long as there is goodwill” on the part of Washington.

In any case, Russia feels secure given the “novelty” of its nuclear deterrent and its constant improvement, the president stressed, describing the level of sophistication of the country’s nuclear arsenal as unsurpassed anywhere else in the world.

He also stated that a “certain arms race is underway” in the world, with some nations considering nuclear tests to ensure their arsenals are up to scratch. Should such trials take place, Moscow would carry out its own, Putin clarified.

Commenting on the prospects of US long-range Tomahawk missiles being supplied to Ukraine, Putin noted that “our response would be the strengthening of the Russian Federation’s air defenses.”

Last week, the Russian president warned that should US President Donald Trump agree to provide Kiev with Tomahawks, which cost an estimated $1.3 million each and have a range of 2,500km (1,550 miles), relations between the US and Russia would be severely damaged, negating the “positive tendencies” of recent months.

 

Israeli hostages to be released from Gaza on Monday: Trump

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israel Hostages

Speaking to reporters at the White House late on Friday, Trump said Monday will be “big” as Hamas exchanges all 48 Israeli captives, both living and deceased, for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

“Some of those bodies are being unearthed right now, as we speak. They’re working on it right now,” Trump stated, adding, “It’s a tragedy. It’s a tragedy.”

Of the living captives still held in Gaza, the US president added, “they’re in some pretty rough places, where only some people know where they are”.

Trump said he plans to travel to Cairo this weekend and separately speak at the Israeli Knesset before returning to the US.

Under the terms of the US-brokered peace deal for Gaza, Hamas agreed to release all captives within 72 hours following the start of a ceasefire.

Israel’s government ratified the ceasefire in the early hours of Friday, and it came into force later in the day. Israeli troops then began to withdraw from areas in Gaza to designated locations, and the countdown began on the 72 hours for Hamas to release captives.

Reports surfaced earlier this week that Hamas may struggle to locate and gather the remains of all the deceased captives, potentially complicating the planned exchange on Monday.

As Palestinians began to return to their war-torn homes on Friday amid the Israeli pullback, key questions about Gaza’s future remain uncertain – including plans for a future Palestinian state.

Trump, however, maintained an optimistic tone about both the first and later phases of his unfolding ceasefire plan.

Both Hamas and Israel, he said, are “all tired of fighting”.

“There is consensus on most of it and some of the details, like anything else, will be worked out,” Trump stated.

“Because, you’ll find out that when you’re sitting in a beautiful room in Egypt, you know, it’s easy to work something out,” he said.

“But then sometimes it doesn’t work from a practical standpoint. But for the most part, there’s consensus,” he added.

The US president also appeared to be pleased with support for the deal from the European Union, Iran and Russia, saying that the peace plan will extend “beyond Gaza”.

“This is peace in the Middle East, and it’s a beautiful thing,” he continued.

 

Palestine factions refuse foreign guardianship on Gaza

By
IFP Media Wire
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In a joint statement on Friday, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) joined Hamas in lauding the steadfastness of Palestinians, which they said foiled Israel’s plans for mass forced displacement in Gaza.

“We renew our rejection to any foreign guardianship, and we stress that the nature of the administration of the Gaza Strip and its institutions are an internal Palestinian matter to be determined by the national component of our people directly,” the statement said.

The groups added that they are working on an “urgent comprehensive national meeting” to discuss next steps after the ceasefire.

“This will unify the Palestinian position, formulate a comprehensive national strategy, and rebuild our national institutions on the foundations of partnership, credibility, and transparency,” they stated.

It is not clear whether Fatah, the faction that dominates the Palestinian Authority, has agreed to be part of the meeting.

United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan includes the creation of a new international body, dubbed the “Board of Peace”, that would be tasked with overseeing an interim authority of technocrats to govern Gaza.

According to the scheme, Trump himself would chair the board, which would also include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The first stage of the ceasefire, to which both Hamas and Israel agreed, is linked to Trump’s plan, but it remains unclear how Gaza will be governed going forward.

Al Jazeera obtained a copy of the stipulations of the agreement, which calls on Hamas to hand over the Israeli captives within 72 hours without any public celebrations or media ceremony.

The deal also would ensure that at least 600 aid trucks reach Gaza daily, as well as the rehabilitation of water stations and the establishment of camps to shelter people in the enclave.

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians began their journey to their homes in the north of the territory on Friday as the Israeli military started to withdraw from coastal areas.

Later on Friday, the Gaza Government Media Office stressed the need for a comprehensive reconstruction plan for the territory.

The first phase of the agreement calls for the entry of equipment to remove the rubble – a first step towards reconstruction.

The deal also says that United Nations agencies and other aid groups would distribute the humanitarian assistance, effectively sidelining the controversial Israel and US-backed GHF.

Hundreds of Palestinians were killed over the past months as they tried to reach GHF sites deep inside Israeli lines of control. Rights groups have described the mechanism as a death trap.

But GHF announced on Friday that it will continue to operate despite the ceasefire.

“GHF’s team on the ground continues to provide humanitarian aid and food to all those who need it,” GHF executive director John Acree announced in a statement.

“We will not rest so long as there are Gazans in need. It’s our mission, and it continues on.”

GHF whistleblowers have documented horrific abuses committed in and around the private foundation’s sites.

US announces it will allow Qatar to construct Air Force facility in Idaho

By
IFP Media Wire
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“The location will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots to enhance our combined training, increase the lethality, interoperability,” Hegseth said during a meeting with his Qatari counterpart Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at the Pentagon.

“It’s just another example of our partnership. And I hope you know, Your Excellency, that you can count on us.”

The announcement of the deal comes just weeks after President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the US to guarantee the security of Qatar — a significant commitment to a non-NATO, Arab ally. Israel had bombed Qatar several days earlier as part of an operation against Hamas officials living in Doha. But sources told CNN that the plan to build the Qatari facility has been in the works for several years, dating back to the previous administration.

A US official said the agreement with Qatar is routine and something the Air Force has done for decades with other partner nations including Germany and Singapore.

Hegseth later on Friday wrote in a post on X, “The U.S. military has a long-standing partnership with Qatar, including today’s announced cooperation with F-15QA aircraft,” emphasizing there will be no Qatari owned base in the US.

Hegseth praised Qatar for playing a “substantial role” in the peace talks that led to a ceasefire and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas, as well as the Persian Gulf country’s support when the US struck Iranian nuclear sites in June. Qatar is also home to the largest US military base in the region at Al-Udeid.

The Qatar facility specifically has been in the works for several years; a 2022 announcement from Mountain Home Air Force Base, published while President Joe Biden was in office, provided the results of an environmental assessment looking at the “potential impacts associated with the beddown of a US-led Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15QA squadron” at the base.

The “beddown” is facilities for the training squadron’s operations, the US official stated, providing space for the pilots to train, brief, do their scheduling, and more. The countries who send pilots as part of this program provide the US funds through foreign military sales to build the facilities, the official added, and the military hires community labor around the bases to build them out.

The final environmental impact report published in 2022 said it was for “the beddown of 12 F-15QA permanently assigned QEAF aircraft and associated equipment, use of the Mountain Home Air Force Base airfield and special use airspace and military training routes for training, use of defensive countermeasures and ordnance, approximately 300 additional QEAF and United States Air Force personnel, and the construction and modification of facilities and infrastructure needed to support the beddown.”

The report said basing and operations were expected to begin in early Fiscal Year 2024, with an initial timeline of 10 years and an option to extend further if needed.

“We further welcome today’s signing of the letter of acceptance establishing a Qatar Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho,” al Thani stated, adding, “This step strengthens interoperabilities, enhances joint readiness, and advances our shared defense goals. Mr. Secretary, together we will continue to deepen this strategic partnership in pursuit of lasting peace and shared security.”

 

IRGC navy commander: Iran to defend its interests in Persian Gulf “to last breath”

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri

He said Iran has always kept the strait open but questioned whether it is reasonable for the world to benefit from it while Iran is denied full use.

Speaking about past confrontations with US forces in the Persian Gulf, Admiral Tangsiri recalled that during those years, Iran had only limited weapons such as RPGs and 107mm rockets but still engaged American forces directly for nearly eighteen months.
He noted that several Iranian naval personnel were killed during those clashes.

Admiral Tangsiri warned against the presence of foreign warships, particularly those carrying nuclear fuel, in the Persian Gulf, saying any accident could cause long-term environmental damage and contaminate desalination sources.

He added that foreign military presence undermines regional security and accused some countries of “creating enemies” to justify their continued deployment.

Admiral Tangsiri reaffirmed that while Iran has not attacked any country in its modern history, it will firmly defend its national interests and regional security.

US admin. threatens Chinese airlines flying over Russia: Reuters

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia barred many Western airlines from its airspace in 2022 after Western nations closed their skies to Russian flights amid the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. The move forced non-Russian carriers to reroute around Russian territory, adding both time and cost to transcontinental flights. China, however, has faced no such restrictions.

In its proposal, the Transportation Department stated that the situation was “unfair and has resulted in substantial adverse competitive effects on US air carriers.” It reportedly gave Chinese airlines two days to respond, with a final decision expected as early as November.

According to the agency, the proposal could affect flights operated by Air China, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines, and China Southern. The move reportedly targets only passenger flights and will not apply to cargo operations.

Neither China’s aviation regulator nor its embassy in Washington commented on the report. Some US carriers reportedly oppose the measure, warning that avoiding Russian airspace would make direct flights to China less viable due to higher costs and reduced cargo capacity.

Shares of China’s three largest airlines dipped slightly after the report, with Air China and China Southern both down 1.3%, and China Eastern 0.9% by mid-day Friday.

The move comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over Trump’s trade policy. He has threatened new tariffs over China’s ties with Moscow, accusing Beijing of “funding” the Ukraine conflict through energy imports. China dismissed the claims as “unacceptable,” insisting its trade with Russia is “legitimate and lawful.”

EU lawmakers support shooting down Russian planes

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The resolution, introduced earlier this week after several reports of unidentified drones near airports and military sites, urges EU members to take “coordinated, united and proportionate action against all violations of their airspace, including shooting down airborne threats.”

It also “strongly condemns Russia’s reckless and escalatory actions of violating the airspace” of EU and NATO members Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania, and what it describes as “deliberate drone incursions” in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Moscow has repeatedly called the accusations groundless and stressed that no evidence has ever been presented linking the drones to Russia. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also admitted on Tuesday that the EU had no evidence of Russia’s involvement in the drone sightings.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that European politicians have developed a habit of blaming Russia for everything “without grounds,” suggesting they should “broaden their horizons” after several Europeans were recently detained near airports for flying personal drones.

According to Bild, three German nationals were detained in Norway last week for launching a drone in a prohibited zone around an airport, while in a separate incident a Chinese national was deported from Norway after similarly flying a personal drone near an airport. On Saturday, Bild also reported that a Croatian citizen had been detained near Frankfurt Airport in Germany for launching a drone.

Russian officials have described the drone accusations as Western fearmongering used to whip up anti-Russian hysteria and justify boosting military budgets and escalating tensions.

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has cautioned that Ukrainian forces could stage false-flags involving drones to frame Moscow and draw NATO into the Ukraine conflict.

 

Rumors about assassination of Iran’s General Qaani denied

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Tasnim News Agency said the claims, spread by social media accounts linked to the Zionist regime, are baseless.

The rumors resurfaced after a scrap warehouse caught fire in eastern Tehran, but Iranian media reported that the blaze caused no casualties.

Since the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, the Zionist regime has repeatedly—-dozens of times—spread false claims about General Qaani’s assassination.

One Mossad-affiliated account known as Terror Alarm frequently publishes a mix of true and false information online, with the aim of conducting psychological operations in favor of the agenda of the Zionist regime’s spy agency Mossad, Tasnim added. The account has repeatedly released fabricated reports of assassinations in the past.

In his recent interview, General Qaani responded to such allegations, saying, “The Zionist regime spreads news of my assassination so that friends become worried and contact me, allowing them to find my exact location”.

Iran denounces US military intervention in Latin America as danger to regional stability

By
IFP Media Wire
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Esmail Baghaei

Baqaei described the actions as a threat to regional peace and security.

He also warned of the consequences that the expansion of Washington’s lawlessness and belligerent unilateralism could have for global peace and stability.

Baqaei slammed the US’s military attacks on fishing vessels in the region and its threats to use force against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Venezuela, calling these actions a blatant violation of the principles of the UN Charter and the fundamental rules of international law.

He urged the United Nations Security Council and the UN chief to give immediate attention to the dangerous situation arising from the US’s insistence on unlawfully interfering in the internal affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as a sovereign member state of the UN.

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