Canada retaliates with 50% tariffs as US trade war escalates
Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs of up to 50 percent on about C$28 billion ($20 billion) of US goods, escalating a trade dispute between two of the world’s most closely integrated economies.
The measures, which take effect on September 8, target products including steel, furniture, tuna, clothing, cotton T-shirts and other goods affected by US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
François-Philippe Champagne, the Finance Minister, described the response as “proportionate” and “strategic”, while announcing an additional C$7.5 billion support package for businesses and workers affected by the trade dispute.
The latest escalation follows the collapse of US-Canada trade talks last week. Both sides accused the other of making unreasonable last-minute demands.
The new tariffs threaten to increase costs across supply chains built over decades, with businesses and consumers in both countries potentially facing higher prices.
China rejects US sanctions targeting Iran trade
China has condemned new US sanctions targeting Iran and warned that it will take measures to protect its interests.
Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian described the planned sanctions as “illegal unilateral sanctions”, saying China-Iran economic cooperation is conducted within the framework of international law.
The response came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced what he called the “single greatest financial offensive ever” against Iran, warning that banks and businesses maintaining financial ties with Tehran could also face isolation.
China is Iran’s largest buyer of oil and a key economic partner, making Beijing an important test for Washington’s effort to squeeze Tehran.
The confrontation comes ahead of planned talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, raising the risk that the Iran sanctions could become another source of tension between Washington and Beijing.
French tourist dies in Death Valley after car gets stuck in mud
A 68-year-old French tourist, Pierre Michel Formosa, has died in California’s Death Valley after his vehicle became stuck in mud during extreme heat.
Formosa was travelling with another French tourist on West Side Road last Monday when their car became stranded. The pair attempted to seek help by walking across the salt flats, but Formosa was unable to continue after walking about 1.3 miles as temperatures reached 46.6°C (116°F).
His travelling companion managed to flag down another driver, who alerted authorities. Rangers and police later found Formosa, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mike Reynolds, Death Valley National Park Superintendent described the incident as a reminder of how quickly conditions in the area can become dangerous.
“Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience,” Reynolds said.
The National Park Service said the exact cause and manner of death would be determined by the coroner.
An extreme heat warning remains in effect in Death Valley, one of the hottest and driest places on Earth. The park recorded a temperature of 57°C (134°F) in 1913, one of the highest temperatures ever recorded.
Dolly Parton, country music icon, dies at 80
Country music legend Dolly Parton has died aged 80, her family announced.
Parton, whose career spanned nearly six decades, became one of the world’s most successful female recording artists through songs including Jolene, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You.
She sold more than 100 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Parton was also celebrated for her work as an actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Her publicist said she died peacefully in Nashville. No cause of death was immediately disclosed.
Ghislaine Maxwell fails to overturn Epstein conviction
A US federal judge has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s attempt to overturn her conviction and 20-year prison sentence for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
Judge Paul Engelmayer said Maxwell’s claims were largely meritless and rejected her argument that newly released material connected to the Epstein files could exonerate her.
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on charges involving the recruitment and grooming of girls for Epstein between 1994 and 2004.
The judge said the additional material, where relevant, instead reinforced the original legal findings against her.
Tanzania vice-president resigns after less than a year
Emmanuel Nchimbi, Tanzania’s Vice-President, has resigned, becoming the first vice-president to leave office voluntarily since the country gained independence in 1961.
Nchimbi, 54, announced that he would retire from public life at the end of next week, less than 10 months after taking office alongside President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
In his resignation letter, he said he was fulfilling a previous commitment to step aside if the president believed a change was necessary.
His departure follows reports of tensions between him and President Samia, although neither has publicly confirmed a dispute.
Nchimbi previously served as secretary-general of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party and held several senior government positions.
Trump envoy seeks Sudan-wide arms embargo as drone war intensifies
Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s Africa envoy, has called on the UN Security Council to extend its arms embargo from Darfur to the whole of Sudan.
Boulos warned that foreign supplies of weapons, drones and related technology were fuelling Sudan’s conflict and increasing the risk of regional spillover.
The war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has entered its fourth year, killing tens of thousands and forcing about 14 million people from their homes.
Russia and China oppose expanding the embargo, arguing that it could weaken Sudan’s army and its ability to protect civilians.
Six migrant bodies found in Libya desert
Libyan authorities have recovered the bodies of six migrants after their vehicle broke down in the desert in the country’s southeast.
Two bodies were found inside the abandoned vehicle, while four others were discovered nearby after authorities tracked footprints.
Nineteen migrants were rescued in the same incident, according to local security officials.
Libya remains a major transit route for migrants attempting to reach Europe, with many travelling through remote desert areas before attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing.
Guinea-Bissau to vote on constitution expanding presidential powers
Guinea-Bissau will hold a constitutional referendum on August 30 on proposals that would significantly strengthen presidential powers.
The proposed constitution would allow the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, create or abolish ministries and dissolve parliament under certain circumstances.
It would also reduce parliament from 102 to 65 seats and cut electoral constituencies from 29 to 12.
The referendum comes after last year’s military coup, which occurred just before electoral authorities were due to announce the results of a presidential election.
Rwanda renews accusations against DR Congo over FDLR
Paul Kagame, Rwandan President, has again accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of supporting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR, an armed group Kigali considers a major security threat.
Kagame said Rwanda would continue taking measures it considers necessary to protect its security if the FDLR remains active in eastern Congo.
Rwanda has repeatedly cited the FDLR as justification for its involvement in the conflict in eastern DRC, while Kinshasa denies supporting the group and accuses Kigali of backing the M23 rebels.
The competing accusations remain a major obstacle to lasting peace in the region.
