Newspaper headlines from around the world - Wednesday, 18 June 2025
A bundle of newspapers on the table. Image: The South African/CANVA
Here are the stories that made headlines on the front pages of newspapers worldwide on Wednesday, 18 June 2025. The Wall Street Journal front page reported that Trump is weighing a possible strike on Iran. The Jerusalem Post's front page reported that the IDF killed Iranian General Shademani. China Daily's front page reported that the China–Central Asia spirit was forged. The Daily Mail's front page reported that the US is poised to join the war against Iran. The Guardian front page reported that Trump is demanding Iran's unconditional surrender as tensions rise.
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an hour ago
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Trump snubs Ramaphosa at G7 summit amid Iran-Israel conflict
President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his working trip in Canada after he attended the G7 Leaders Summit where he was allegedly snubbed by US president Donald Trump. Image: GCIS US President Donald Trump snubbed President Cyril Ramaphosa at the G7 Summit in Canada, sparking speculation about the reason behind the snub. Sources and experts suggest the snub was due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, which started just days before the summit. Iran is now part of BRICS of which South Africa plays a major role. Ramaphosa, who was accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, was an invited guest at the summit as the only African leader. The G7 consists of the largest advanced economies like Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the US. Ramaphosa met with all other leaders on the sidelines of the summit, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and others. However, Trump left before meeting Ramaphosa who also concluded his working visit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on Tuesday night. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The two leaders did not meet as expected while Ramaphosa was seeking answers, from Trump, on trade agreements, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and US-SA tariffs. Trump has been vocal about his stance on the Iran-Israel conflict, hinting at the possibility of US involvement and warning Iran to consider talks with Israel to de-escalate the conflict. This stance may have contributed to the snub, as South Africa has been calling for de-escalation in the conflict, a source said. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that Ramaphosa will continue to assert South Africa's calls for de-escalation in conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere during his deliberations at the G7. "For some time now, President Ramaphosa has been quite consistent in calling for the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East," Magwenya said. 'Part of that call was to ensure that this conflict that we've seen in Gaza does not extend to the rest of the region and so one of Canada's priorities for this G7 is this threatening of peace and stability, where we are going to align with the position in so far as calling for a peaceful resolution of all conflicts, Russia and Ukraine, India and Pakistan, Iran and Israel. Now we will continue making that call that those conflicts have to stop,' Magwenya said. However, Trump posted to social media hinting that the United States was considering involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran, with Trump even raising the possibility of violence against Iran's leadership. Trump has been warning Iran that they should consider having talks with Israel to de-escalate the conflict. The G7 Summit focused on global challenges and opportunities, including international peace and security, global economic stability and growth, and the digital transition. Ramaphosa participated in the G7 Outreach Session, where he put forward South Africa's objectives and interests. "South Africa views the G7 as a strategic partner. We seek greater cooperation in areas such as investment, financing for development, international crime, climate change and just transitions, as well as inclusive global growth and development,' Ramaphosa said. Political analyst Sandile Swana said Trump's snub of Ramaphosa was likely due to pressure on Ramaphosa to support the US position on the Iran-Israel conflict. "Trump is definitely putting pressure on Ramaphosa and trying to squeeze and push the snubbing was part of that," Swana said. He said Trump could not afford to be friendly to Ramaphosa when hostilities were escalating around Israel including Gaza and Iran.
IOL News
an hour ago
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Business Leadership SA slams Transnet's new wage agreement as leadership failure
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IOL News
an hour ago
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Business Leadership SA slams Transnet's new wage agreement as leadership failure
Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has criticised Transnet's new wage agreement with unions Image: Leon Lestrade/ Independent Newspapers Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has criticised Transnet's new wage agreement with unions, calling it a failure of leadership and warning that it undermines the country's economic recovery. Last week IOL reported that Transnet concluded a three-year wage agreement with its recognised unions, SATAWU and UNTU, securing a 6% annual salary increase for workers over the next three years. The deal also includes increases to key benefits such as pension contributions, medical aid, housing allowances, and the 13th cheque. According to the state-owned freight and rail company, the deal came after the "conclusion of a conciliation process led by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA)". BLSA President Busiswe Mavuso criticised Transnet's decision to provide an above-inflation increase to workers, saying that the agreement overlooks the country's weak economic growth, rising debt, and Transnet's poor performance record. "I was astounded to see the news last week of Transnet's capitulation to union strike threats, agreeing to give workers 6% pay rises in each of the next three years. This agreement represents a failure of leadership on both sides – militant unions holding the country hostage with strike threats, and management caving to their demands without a fight," Mavuso said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She added that the increases come at a time when inflation is running at 2.7%, and the economy is expected to grow by only 1.4% this year. 'While South African businesses slash costs and workers face retrenchments, Transnet workers will get pay rises that are double the inflation rate, funded by taxpayers already struggling to make ends meet.' Mavuso also pointed to Transnet's operational inefficiencies, citing an estimate from Professor Jan Havenga of Stellenbosch University that poor logistics performance is costing the South African economy R1 billion per da. In a letter following the wage agreement reached last week, SATAWU defended the agreement by emphasising that it accepted the CCMA's proposal for a 0.5% increase in the third year, which would raise the final year's increase to 6%. 'Our correspondence dated 21 May 2025 stated that the union was prepared to accept the additional 0.5% increase,' the union said. SATAWU also argued that the final agreement reflected existing provisions and legal frameworks already in place between Transnet and organised labour. "When comparing the original retrenchment clause and the one contained in the final wage offer, it is evident that there is no significant difference, but only a reformulation of existing provisions. The only notable amendment in the final collective agreement is the additional 0.5% increase in Year 3".
