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Trump fires new tariff threats at Apple and EU
Trump fires new tariff threats at Apple and EU
by  AFP

President Donald Trump ratcheted up the US trade war on Friday, threatening to impose a new 25 percent levy against Apple, and a 50 percent tariff on the European Union. Lamenting that negotiations with the EU "are going nowhere," Trump said on Truth Social that he is recommending "a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025."

Merz, Xi discuss Ukraine war, trade woes amid global 'chaos'
Merz, Xi discuss Ukraine war, trade woes amid global 'chaos'
by  AFP

Germany's Friedrich Merz urged Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday to support a Ukraine ceasefire push and discussed thorny economic ties, in the leaders' first call since Merz became chancellor. On the topic of Ukraine, Merz's office said he told Xi about "the common efforts of Europe and the EU to bring about a quick ceasefire" and urged China to "support these efforts".

260 miners stuck underground after 'incident' at S.African shaft
260 miners stuck underground after 'incident' at S.African shaft
by  AFP

Damage to a mine shaft kept 260 miners stuck in a gold mine outside Johannesburg overnight, the mine manager and union said Friday. Mining employs hundreds of thousands of people in South Africa -- the biggest exporter of platinum and a major exporter of gold, diamonds, coal and other raw materials -- and accidents are common.

UK newspaper The Telegraph set for US ownership
UK newspaper The Telegraph set for US ownership
by  AFP

British right-wing newspaper The Telegraph has agreed a takeover by US investment group RedBird Capital Partners, ending a two-year saga marked by UK government intervention over press freedoms. TMG last year agreed to sell British right-wing magazine The Spectator to hedge fund manager Paul Marshall for £100 million.

German growth upgraded on pre-tariff export surge
German growth upgraded on pre-tariff export surge
by  AFP

Germany's economy grew more than previously thought at the start of the year, as its exports surged before US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs, official data showed Friday. Germany's unexpectedly strong first-quarter growth contrasts with the performance of the US economy, which contracted at the start of the year amid an import surge triggered by Trump's tariff plans.

Fears for crops as drought hits northern Europe
Fears for crops as drought hits northern Europe
by  AFP

Parts of northern Europe have seen their worst drought in decades in recent weeks, with farmers from Scotland to the Netherlands fearing the dry spell will dent harvests if it continues. The dry spell in northern Europe contrasts with southern Europe, including Spain and Portugal, where rainfall has been up to twice the usual amount for the time of year. abe-bur/ico/fec/js