
China files WTO complaint over US tariffs
In this episode of W News, presented by Leigh-Ann Gerrans, we bring you the latest on China filing an official complaint with the World Trade Organization over US tariffs. We'll also cover the case of two Chinese nationals caught fighting alongside Russian forces and captured by Ukraine – prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to demand an explanation from Beijing.
Guests:
John Burnett - First Vice Chairman, New York State Republican Party
Patrick Fok - Correspondent in Singapore
Stuart Smith - Correspondent in London
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Al Arabiya
8 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Ukraine's Zelenskyy Visits Austria for First Time Since Russia's Full-Scale Invasion of His Country
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Austria on Monday in his first trip to the European Union member country since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Austria is famously neutral–a stance it declared in 1955 after World War II–and Vienna has come under heavy criticism since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war for maintaining ties with Moscow. Ukraine's air force said Russia fired 138 strike and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, mainly at the eastern Donetsk region. Of those, 125 were either intercepted or jammed, while 10 reached their targets. Eight others caused damage as falling debris. Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker, and the two presidents were set to hold a news conference later Monday. This is Stocker's first high-profile visit from a foreign dignitary since he took office in March at the head of a previously untried three-party coalition after a record five-month wait for a new administration. Zelenskyy's wife, First Lady Olena Zelenska, and Doris Schmidauer, Van der Bellen's spouse, will also host a discussion about the role of women in promoting peace and security during the trip. Austria, which was annexed by Nazi Germany in the run-up to World War II, declared neutrality after the war under pressure from Western allies and the Soviet Union. It sought a role as a mediator between East and West, developing ties with Moscow that outlasted the Cold War. The Austrian government has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine but also stressed the need to maintain diplomatic relations with Moscow. Vienna has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine but no weapons. Former Chancellor Karl Nehammer was the first EU leader to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face after the war started. Nehammer traveled to Moscow in April 2022 in a fruitless attempt to persuade the Russian leader to end the invasion.


Saudi Gazette
9 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
MI6 appoints first female chief in 116-year history
LONDON — Britain's MI6 will be led by a woman for the first time in the foreign intelligence service's 116-year history. Blaise Metreweli, who joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, will become the 18th chief of the organisation and take over from Sir Richard Moore later this year. She is currently responsible for technology and innovation at the service and said she was "proud and honoured" to have been asked to lead. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the appointment "historic" at a time "when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital". MI6 is tasked with gathering intelligence overseas to improve the UK's security, with its core aims being to stop terrorism, disrupt the activities of hostile states and bolster cyber-security. Its chief, commonly referred to as "C", is the only publicly named member of the Metreweli, 47, is currently Director General "Q" - head of the crucial technology and innovation division that aims to keep the identities of secret agents secret, and come up with new ways to evade adversaries like China's biometric surveillance."MI6 plays a vital role - with MI5 and GCHQ - in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas," she said."I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners."Ms Metreweli, who studied anthropology at the University of Cambridge, has previously held director level roles in MI5 - MI6's sister, domestic security agency - and spent most of her career working in the Middle East and the King's overseas and international birthday honours list in 2024, she received the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for her services to British foreign to the Telegraph in December 2021 when she was at MI5, under the pseudonym of "Director K", Ms Metreweli said threats to UK national security "really are diverse"."The threats we are looking at primarily exist around protecting government, protecting secrets, protecting our people - so counter-assassination - protecting our economy, sensitive technology and critical knowledge," she added that "Russian state activity - not Russia itself - remains a threat" and that China was "changing the way the world is and that presents amazing opportunities and threats for the UK".It is a common misnomer to think that the "C" stands for Chief. It does not. Britain's very first spy agency was called the Secret Service Bureau, established in the 1900s. It was led by a Royal Navy officer, Captain Mansfield Cumming. He always signed his letters "C" and the codename has Cumming wrote in green ink. To this day, the head of MI6 is the only person in Whitehall who will write in does C give his or her agents a "licence to kill"? No. But the foreign secretary can. Under Section 7 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994, an MI6 agent can be authorised to carry out certain actions which would otherwise be illegal - including using lethal force. But it is a long and complicated legal organization she will be running faces unprecedented and multiple these emanate primarily from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, as the four nations co-operate ever more closely to undermine UK and Western interests across the there are technical challenges role is to recruit human agents to steal secrets from Britain's adversaries, which include both hostile nations and non-state groups like an age of rapid digital innovation, MI6 is having to pedal ever faster to stay ahead of its enemies and to remain relevant, when so much intelligence is now gathered online and from September, outgoing chief Sir Richard - alongside then-CIA chief William Burns - warned that the international world was "under threat in a way we haven't seen since the Cold War".Writing in the Financial Times, the pair said that beyond the war in Ukraine, the two foreign intelligence services were continuing to "work together to disrupt the reckless campaign of sabotage across Europe being waged by Russian intelligence".Sir Richard and Mr Burns added that they saw the rise of China as the main intelligence and geopolitical challenge of the century. They also said they had pushed "hard" for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle Sunday, Sir Richard, who will step down in the autumn after five years in the role, said he was "absolutely delighted" with the "historic appointment" of his colleague."Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology," he said."I am excited to welcome her as the first female head of MI6."Foreign Secretary David Lammy, to whom Ms Metreweli will be accountable as MI6's new chief, said she was the "ideal" candidate and would ensure the UK was able to tackle the challenges of "global instability and emerging security threats"."I would also like to pay tribute to Sir Richard Moore for his service and leadership," he said."I have worked closely with him over the past year and thank him for his valuable contribution enhancing our national security and protecting the British public."Sir Keir also thanked Sir Richard for his "dedicated service"."I know Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to defend our county and keep our people safe," he added. — BBC


Leaders
a day ago
- Leaders
Trump Hints at US Involvement in Iran-Israel Conflict
President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States might engage in the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. During an interview with ABC News, he expressed openness to Russian President Vladimir Putin acting as a mediator. This statement comes as tensions rise in the Middle East, with both nations exchanging heavy aerial assaults. Ongoing Nuclear Talks and Potential Mediation According to Trump, discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program continue. He noted that Tehran appears eager to negotiate a deal, especially following recent military exchanges with Israel. 'It's possible we could get involved,' Trump stated during an off-camera interview with ABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott. He emphasized that the United States is 'not at this moment' participating in military actions. Trump confirmed that Putin is prepared to mediate the conflict. 'He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it,' Trump explained. This potential mediation could play a crucial role in de-escalating tensions between the two nations. Escalating Violence and Diplomatic Efforts On Sunday, Israel and Iran engaged in heavy aerial assaults for the third consecutive day. Casualties have increased significantly as Israel launched large-scale attacks targeting Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. These actions have prompted retaliatory strikes from Iran, further complicating the situation. Oman, which has previously mediated discussions on the nuclear issue, announced the cancellation of a sixth round of talks between Iran and the United States. Despite this setback, Trump reassured that discussions between the two sides are ongoing. 'No, there's no deadline' on negotiations, he stated when asked about a time limit for Tehran to engage. Trump emphasized that both parties are actively communicating. 'They'd like to make a deal. They're talking. They continue to talk,' he remarked. He suggested that the recent clashes between Israel and Iran might have accelerated the urgency for a nuclear agreement. 'It may have forced a deal to go quicker, actually,' Trump concluded. As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the Iran-Israel conflict. Short link : Post Views: 1