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IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Thabo Mbeki calls for a reassessment of South Africa's national interests in a multipolar world
Navigating global power dynamics: Former President Thabo Mbeki's insights on US foreign policy Image: Picture: Armand Hough/Independent Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has called on the nation to critically assess and articulate its national interests in an increasingly multipolar world and the evolving foreign policy of the United States. In an interview with Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi on Power FM on Monday, Mbeki reflected on recent diplomatic tensions, including the controversial meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and former US President Donald Trump—an encounter many observers described as a diplomatic misstep. Mbeki pointed to a February statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which shed light on Washington's post-Cold War worldview. Rubio stated that 'after the Soviet Union's collapse, the global political landscape changed,' a shift Mbeki sees as emblematic of US foreign policy. 'The norm now should be a multipolar world where countries pursue their interests,' Mbeki emphasised. "When Trump spoke of 'Making America Great Again,' he wasn't advocating isolation. He asserted America's right to define and pursue its interests—controlling resources, influencing regions, shaping global institutions—regardless of others' opinions.' Power Politics in a Multipolar World Mbeki highlighted that this focus on self-interest isn't exclusive to Trump's administration. 'Every US government, regardless of party, operates on the principle of pursuing its national interests,' he said. 'They may see strategic value in places like Greenland or Panama and act accordingly.' This, he explained, is a defining feature of contemporary international relations. 'The guiding principle now is what benefits the US, not respect or equality. That's how they see the world.' 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 ✕ Implications for South Africa and Africa Mbeki warned that Africa must understand this global shift to safeguard its interests. 'If we ignore the reality that global powers are driven primarily by self-interest, we risk being manipulated or sidelined,' he cautioned. 'We need to articulate and defend our interests instead of passively accepting external dictates.' He touched on recent diplomatic tensions, notably South Africa's support for Palestine. 'Our stance is rooted in principles of justice and solidarity,' he said. 'But we must also recognise that US interests in the Middle East often conflict with ours.' Dependency and the Role of US Diplomacy Ndlozi criticised Africa's reliance on global powers, pointing to last week's White House incident where Trump accused South Africa of genocide—without evidence. 'That scene—staged videos, prepared images—showed how the US believes it has the right to lecture us,' Ndlozi remarked. 'This is a clear example of structural dependency and diminishing our dignity.' He argued that what is often framed as 'respect' is actually a form of dominance. 'It's not about mutual respect; it's about control,' he said. 'Our relationship with global powers has become asymmetrical—rooted in dependence, not equality.' The Changing Dynamics of US-South Africa Relations Ndlozi observed that US-South Africa relations have worsened under the current administration. 'In the past, even during disagreements—whether with Bush or Obama—there was a certain decorum,' he said. 'Now, the US acts as if it's entitled to dictate to us, regardless of our sovereignty.' He reflected on the diplomatic approach of previous US presidents. 'Visits by Bush or Obama, even amid disagreements, maintained mutual respect. Today's aggressive posture is deeply concerning,' Ndlozi noted. Moving Forward: A Call for Vigilance Mbeki concluded by emphasising that the world is shifting away from unipolar dominance. He urged African nations to be proactive by defining their interests and standing firm. 'Developing the capacity to defend our sovereignty is essential to avoid being passive recipients of Western or US policies. IOL Politics
India Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Why Trump desperately wants Apple back in the US?
US President Donald Trump has made it clear he's not happy with Apple shifting more of its manufacturing to India. He recently said he told Apple CEO Tim Cook to stop expanding in India and focus on the US at a business event in Doha, Trump said, 'I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. I said to him, my friend, I am treating you very good. You are coming up with $500 billion, but now I hear you are building all over India. I don't want you building in India.'He went on to say that India is one of the highest-tariff countries and that it is not easy to sell in the Indian market. Trump also said, 'We are not interested in you building in India. India can take care of themselves.'WHY TRUMP WANTS APPLE TO MAKE APPLE IN USBut why is Trump so bothered about Apple's plans in India?One of the key ideas during his election campaign was to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US. His 'Make America Great Again' campaign included a focus on producing goods within the country to create local (Dr.) Suresh Surana said that Trump's comments may be linked to his push to increase manufacturing and job creation in the US."The production of Apple iPhones in India has been a major leap in positioning India as a 'global manufacturing hub' and 'Make in India' initiative. One of the main aspects of the Trump administration's 'Making America Great Again' (MAGA) has been to increase production in the US and create opportunities for local employment," said CA (Dr.) Suresh Surana. However, he added that a better way forward would be a partnership between India and the US to build large global companies, using India's cost advantage and the US's expertise in design and said that many large US tech firms like Microsoft and Google have grown with support from Indian engineers and lower-cost operations. The same idea can be used in manufacturing by keeping some parts of the work in India and others in the US. 'A collaborative approach is needed,' he SHIFT TOWARDS INDIAApple has been expanding its production in India to reduce its reliance on China. In recent years, the company has been working closely with partners like Foxconn, Pegatron and Tata Electronics to make more iPhones in April 2024 and March 2025, Apple reportedly made iPhones worth Rs 1.83 lakh crore (around $22 billion) in India. This was a 60% jump from the previous year. Nearly 15% of all iPhones made by Apple now come from India, and most of them are shipped to the US and other March 2025 alone, India exported over 3 million iPhones to the started producing iPhones in India in 2017 with the iPhone SE. Since then, it has expanded its production line to include models like iPhone 12, 13, 14, 14 Plus and 15. In late 2024, Apple also began making its high-end models—iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max—in India. The company even started assembling AirPods in the country INDIA IS IMPORTANT FOR APPLEIndia has become a key part of Apple's global supply chain. The country offers a large pool of skilled workers and lower labour costs compared to the US or China. Many global companies, including Apple's supplier Foxconn, have increased investments in India to take advantage of these has announced that it will invest $1.5 billion in its India unit to support Apple's growing manufacturing more production to India also helps Apple reduce risks linked to US-China trade tensions and rising Apple follows Trump's suggestion and moves more production to the US, the cost of making iPhones could go up sharply. According to analysts at Bank of America, iPhone prices could rise by as much as 25% due to higher labour costs and the need to build new factories in the would affect both American and Indian consumers. iPhones could become more expensive, and Apple's profit margins might take a Trump's public comments, Apple seems to have no plans to reduce its investment in India. A recent report by the Economic Times said that Apple executives have assured the government that India remains a major part of the company's global manufacturing The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by expert in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading choices.)Must Watch
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Leslie Jones Names Her Big Problem With Top Trump Folks, With A Brutal Twist
Actor and comedian Leslie Jones pulled no punches on her return to 'The Daily Show' on Wednesday, tearing into President Donald Trump's top allies with a blistering, R-rated monologue. Jones said her big problem with 'these Trump folks' isn't that they're 'corrupt,' 'evil,' or 'women-hating, racist, unqualified dickheads who couldn't run a Dunkin' Donuts without burning it down' but that they are 'goofy-ass motherfuckers.' 'I thought Reagan was bad, but at least he knew how to talk. I thought Bush was bad, but at least he has a hilarious name. But what do we have now?' she asked. 'JD Vance, RFK Jr. and Elon Musk. I cannot believe America is going to be ended by these fucking loser incels. That's not how I plan to go out.' Jones slammed Musk, the world's richest man who Trump tapped to gut the federal government via the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency, for his 'goofy shit,' called Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 'literally, a piece of shit' for his recent sewage-swimming stunt and rebranded Vice President JD Vance as 'JD 'Bitch Ass' Vance.' She then addressed Trump supporters directly: 'But seriously, this is to the people who voted this shit in. This cannot be what you mean by 'Making America Great Again.' This is a fucking circus. Other countries are laughing at us right now. We've got to get rid of MAGA because they're not making America great again. They're making America goofy asses.' Watch Jones' full monologue here: Stephen Colbert's Audience Absolutely Loses It Over 3 Little Words About Trump 'Daily Show' Spots Unwitting NSFW Moment In Trump's Qatari Jet Spin Huge Cost Of Military Parade On Trump's Birthday Is Revealed
News18
05-05-2025
- Business
- News18
The Price Of Trump's Bullying: A Retaliatory Attack On The Greenback?
POTUS Donald Trump may have pressed the pause button on the implementation of a cataclysmic, sledgehammer tariff hike against most countries of the world—except China—in the name of discouraging imports and 'Making America Great Again" (MAGA). However, this should not be misconstrued as him smoking the peace pipe with them. His bullying and stomping tactics in geopolitics, as well as global trade, are likely to continue for the duration of his term. Other nations, too, are unlikely to take it lying down. The riposte may take several forms, including a potentially deadly strike against the greenback. The first such attempt to dethrone the US dollar as the world's sole international reference currency came in 1973, at the height of the first oil shock, when the Eurodollar and petrodollar blocs joined hands to dump millions of tranches of 35-dollar claims on the US government—each tranche demanding an ounce of gold in return.
New York Post
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump's first 100 days: Letters to the Editor — May 2, 2025
The Issue: President Trump marking the first 100 days of his second term in office on April 30. By withholding funding from collegiate indoctrination mills, dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion mandates, closing the border and codifying that there are only two sexes (among other accomplishments), the president has been firing on all cylinders during his first 100 days ('Tornadon,' April 30). He's keeping one of his main campaign pledges: to put a stake in the heart of woke. With any luck, that stake will remain intact. Anthony Parks Garden City The Trump administration has just completed its first 100 days. There have been needed accomplishments, but some decisions raise deep concerns. Tariffs on most of our trading partners have disrupted the economy, which will have a severe impact on all of our spending and savings. But on public safety, there is some good news, as we are currently deporting many violent criminal migrants. There is much to accomplish in the next 100 days, and one thing I would suggest is to review the firings of dedicated federal employees. Bob Sweeney Warwick, RI All I can say is that I'm very happy with the first 100 days and look forward to the remaining days of Donald J. Trump's presidency. God bless our president, and God bless America. Jean Cole Juno Beach, Fla. I believe it's time for Sen. Chuck Schumer to invest in a new pair of glasses after he said 'it's been 100 days of hell' under Trump. This way he could actually see the full success of Trump's first 100 days. Such successes like closing the southern border, mass deportations of criminals, waste and fraud cut from the federal budgets and working to move manufacturing jobs back home where they belong. This is not chaos, Chuck. This is what success actually looks like. Andrew Franza, Sr. Dallas, Pa. Trump is on the path of Making America Great Again. He has not stopped since the day he was inaugurated. He's moving fast and watching out for the American people, which he promised to do. Though the tariffs made a big impact at first, they will work. People must realize that things don't happen overnight. We must celebrate the many accomplishments that Trump has had during his first 100 days. He's doing an incredible job at the border after four years of disaster. Rob Johann, Queens Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters The Issue: Amazon dropping plans to display the cost of tariffs on its product listings. It's disappointing to see that Amazon considered taking a partisan approach to consumer disclosures when it comes to pricing impacts of tariffs and surcharges ('Amazon backs down from levy surcharge note,' April 30). The e-commerce giant does not offer consumers transparency by providing filters for origin of products for consumers who chose to patronize American-made goods. Apparently transparency only matters to Amazon when its bottom line is at risk. Elliot Burak Fort Lauderdale, Fla. President Trump pressured Amazon not to report the cost of tariffs on its products because it would reflect badly on his administration. Why so few complaints from the media? This is certainly news that Americans had a right to be aware of. I recall that much was made of the Biden administration's pressure on certain social media organizations during the COVID period to suppress news. Hank Taylor Bryan, Texas Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
