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CNBC
22-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
White House releases U.S.-Indonesia trade deal framework, final talks underway
watch now The U.S. and Indonesia agreed to the framework of a trade agreement which would see Jakarta scrap most of its tariffs on American imports, the White House revealed in a joint statement Tuesday afternoon. U.S. tariffs on Indonesian imports would be set at 19% under the deal, which is described in the release as an "Agreement on Reciprocal Trade." While higher than the 10% baseline tariff that the U.S. has slapped on almost all other countries, the 19% rate is significantly lower than the 32% blanket duty that Indonesia initially faced under President Donald Trump's "liberation day" tariff plan in April. The joint statement notes that the U.S. and Indonesia will continue to "negotiate and finalize the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade" in the coming weeks. A worker processes soybeans to make tofu at a traditional tofu factory in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia, on May 1, 2025. Agoes Rudianto | Nurphoto | Getty Images They will also "prepare the Agreement for signature, and undertake domestic formalities in advance of the Agreement entering into force" in that time, the statement said. The newly unveiled terms of the framework mirror the ones Trump laid out when he first announced on social media last week that he had "finalized" a deal with Indonesia after speaking to its president, Prabowo Subianto. Tuesday's more formal statement said the framework also includes a series of forthcoming commercial deals between the two countries, including an aircraft purchase valued at $3.2 billion and an estimated $15 billion in purchases of energy products. The framework also says the countries will also address various "non-tariff barriers" and other obstacles that the U.S. faces in Indonesian markets. Indonesia is one of the United States' top 25 trade partners, with the two countries trading more than $38 billion in goods in 2024, according to the Commerce Department. The U.S. trade deficit with Indonesia totaled $17.9 billion last year. "Today's announcement shows that America can defend its domestic production while obtaining expansive market access with our trading partners," U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement. "American producers, who have long-faced high tariffs and burdensome requirements, will receive unprecedented access to Indonesia's market and greater certainty for the digital services sector. I thank Indonesian Minister Airlangga Hartarto for his dedication and I am glad we are able to achieve fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade for our countries," said Greer. The deal joins a limited number of other framework trade agreement outlines the Trump administration has released with countries that include the United Kingdom and China. This month, Trump announced that deals similar to Indonesia's had been reached with Vietnam and the Philippines. But the terms of those deals, as described by the White House, have not been confirmed by the participating nations. Trump has also sent a series of letters to key U.S. trade partners, laying out steep tariff rates he says will be imposed starting Aug. 1.
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
With a bunker hole-out, Phil Mickelson had a 'lot of fun' during first round of 2025 Open
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland – Phil Mickelson was flying high on Thursday at Royal Portrush, posting a solid 1-under 70 at the opening round of the 153rd British Open. Having missed the cut at all three majors so far this year, the captain of LIV Golf's High Flyers was pleased to have beaten most of the rain that began to fall early in the afternoon and to be in the clubhouse in red figures. 'I really enjoy playing these conditions and playing this tournament. It's just a lot of fun,' he said. 'I really hit a lot of good shots today, and it wasn't too stressful.' Phil Mickelson has struggled at recent Opens Mickelson, 55, is the 2013 champion at Muirfield, one of his six majors he's won, tabbed winning the Claret Jug as his greatest accomplishment in his career. 'Because I had to learn a style of golf that I didn't grow up playing,' he explained. 'It's kind of the greatest source of pride for me as a player to overcome those obstacles. Now I've come to really love it, enjoy it, and I seem to play well in some of the adverse conditions too.' But Mickelson, who nearly won a second Open title in 2016 when he lost a duel with Henrik Stenson, has struggled on this side of the pond in recent years. He's missed the cut in five of the last seven years, and finished T-60th at the 2024 Open Championship. Bunker shot was a highlight for Mickelson Mickelson did have one truly highlight-reel moment. At the third hole, his approach caught the greenside bunker and he left his first shot in the bunker. In danger of making a big number, Mickelson proved he still is a magician with a wedge in his hand. On his second attempt, he splashed out and holed the shot for another routine par. 'That was a crazy one. It was really one of maybe two poor shots I hit, I felt. That bunker shot buried in the lip, and then to make it, it was obviously a lot of luck. It was crazy,' he said. 'I was just trying to save bogey, and I got lucky and it went in.' Mickelson tacked on a birdie at the par-5 seventh and toured the first nine in 34. He made his first bogey of the championship at No. 11 and another at No. 14, but added a birdie at 17 to get in at 1 under. Playing in his 31st Open Championship, Mickelson relied on years of knowledge and avoided pressing when the longer birdie putts weren't dropping. 'I made a lot of short ones and a lot of good up-and-downs and lag putting,' he said. 'You find that going back on past experience, you don't have to press it. You don't have to force it.'
The Diplomat
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade Grows Amid Security Challenges
Political and security hurdles, particularly TTP-related violence, continue to prevent the two countries from realizing the full potential of bilateral trade. Trucks carrying goods on the road from Jamrud in Pakistan to the Torkham Border Crossing on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. In an encouraging development, bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan reached nearly $1 billion in the first half of 2025, according to a report from the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The growth was driven by strong Pakistani exports to Afghanistan, which mainly included medical supplies, parboiled rice, sugar, cotton textiles, and raw materials. While this marks an increase in trade between the two neighbors, it is not the first time that bilateral trade has reached this level in recent years. Besides, the current trade relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is way below potential. It is estimated that the trade could grow to $8 to 10 billion annually if obstacles could be overcome. While recent trade growth shows mutual demand from both sides, the persistent militant attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have become a significant obstacle to strengthening trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The issue of terror remains a central concern for Pakistan when it comes to its relationship with Afghanistan, including trade talks. According to a Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies report, Pakistan faced 521 terror attacks in 2024 — a 70 percent increase over the previous year. These attacks claimed nearly 1,000 lives across Pakistan. In the first six months of 2025, the TTP claimed responsibility for more than 1,300 terror attacks in Pakistan, which resulted in over 1,600 casualties. Arguably, terrorism is one of the major reasons why Pakistan and Afghanistan have not made significant progress in trade dealings. In a policy shift in 2023, Pakistan imposed a 10 percent fee on goods imported by Afghanistan using its ports. The move was seen as Pakistan using its economic leverage against the Afghan Taliban to push Kabul to act against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. The existing modest growth in bilateral trade also coincides with the cautious easing of tensions between the two countries. In recent months, there have been visible efforts to improve the bilateral relationship. Much of this is being facilitated by the Chinese mediation that appears to have created space for high-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries. For instance, in May, the Pakistani government announced that it would appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan. This is the first such appointment by Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban seized control of Kabul in 2021. A turning point in this regard occurred in April 2025, when Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Afghanistan. This was the first high-level visit from Pakistan after more than two years. Last month, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan signed an agreement to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan. It appears that Pakistan and China are focusing on trade discussions to motivate the Afghan Taliban to put pressure on the TTP and other militant groups. Such a course of action could potentially create economic space for the Afghan Taliban and pave the way for wider international recognition of their government. In recent days, the ongoing diplomatic thaw between Pakistan and Afghanistan has fueled speculation that Pakistan might be considering formally recognizing the Taliban government. This idea has gained attention, especially after Russia decided earlier this month to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, becoming the first to do so. However, Pakistan has not issued any statement that could strengthen this speculation. From Pakistan's perspective, the country's security concerns, especially TTP activities, must be addressed before any such step is taken. Pakistan has consistently claimed that the Afghan Taliban provide logistical and operational support to TTP fighters. The latest report of the U.N. Security Council's sanctions monitoring team revealed the Afghan Taliban's continued support for the TTP in Pakistan. The report said that 'the status and strength of TTP in Afghanistan had not changed,' but its attacks on Pakistan have significantly increased. Afghan Taliban authorities recently announced plans to move thousands of Pakistani refugees away from border provinces. The Afghan Taliban usually refer to Pakistani refugees to describe those related to the TTP and their families. It is possible that during his recent visit to Afghanistan, Dar requested Afghanistan to relocate TTP elements. However, the implementation of these plans remains uncertain as the Afghan Taliban continue to deny and reject all reports and claims related to the TTP's presence in Afghanistan. The $1 billion in bilateral trade over the last six months reflects a shared economic interest and a lot of potential that needs to be tapped. However, the existing political hurdles, particularly TTP-related violence, continue to pose significant challenges to the true potential of bilateral trade. For now, the path to stability regarding the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship depends on continued trade, ongoing dialogue, and TTP containment. This noticeable increase in bilateral trade, while encouraging, may not contribute to determining the future of bilateral relations so long as terrorism remains a major concern.
CNET
16-07-2025
- CNET
This Robot Vacuum Blew Me Away With Its Ingenious Navigation Capability, and Now It's 20% Off
Deal alert: The Dreame X50 robot vacuum is available for $1,360. That's a 20% discount on a robot vacuum that usually lists for $1,700. If you're looking for top-tier performance, this robot vac is better at climbing obstacles than any robot vacuum we've tested. CNET's key takeaways No robot vacuum has truly solved the challenge of multi-level cleaning without requiring you to physically move it between floors. This robo-vac can do it, for the high-end price of $1,700 (on sale right now for $1,360 You won't find another robot vacuum with its features for less than $1,000 right now. The whole point of owning a robot vacuum is so you don't have to do the cleaning yourself. But that was never the case at my house -- partly because of what I call my "Ikea chair challenge." I've seen many robo-vacs get stuck at the bottom of one of my chairs, which has an unusually-shaped base. It's just one obstacle among many in my home, which is also filled with pet hair, paw prints and three teenage sons who leave things lying around everywhere. Luckily I'm the product development design engineer who oversees operations at CNET's testing lab, and after the Dreame X50 robot vacuum was named CNET's best for obstacles and pets, I got to see how it performed in real-world conditions at my place. Well, it conquered the Ikea chair. It was actually pretty entertaining to watch as the Dreame X50 struggled, regrouped and then used its auxiliary climbing arms to get over the chair's base -- just one of the tools it has in its arsenal. Watch this: Follow These Tips for Buying a Robot Vacuum in 2025 03:18 My experience with the Dreame X50 Ultra robot vacuum Performance-wise, the Dreame X50 Ultra was generally solid. It started with a full deep clean, then vacuumed and mopped on its second run. During the app setup, I told it I had pets, so it emptied its dustbin a bunch during the first run. I found it to be pretty smart about lifting its mops while vacuuming the carpet. It took it 123 minutes to complete its work around my home. The mopping function was surprisingly effective, tackling muddy paw prints on my vinyl plank flooring as well as I could myself with a stick mop. And I was particularly impressed with its object avoidance; it navigated around shoes, cords and even my two dogs without issue. Setting it up was a breeze: The app was intuitive and the quality of the machine's build felt robust, although with so many moving parts -- like its auxiliary climbing arms and lowering turret -- I question its long-term durability. The Dreame X50 also did a great job at identifying cords, and it knew to avoid them. Jared Hannah/CNET One key feature that really stood out was the tangle-free roller. In my home test, comparing the Dreame X50 to my older Roborock Q5 after cleaning a large area rug, the difference was striking. The Roborock was clogged with hair, while the Dreame's roller was completely clean. This is a massive advantage over competitors, which often struggle with pet hair. This is another one of my big tests -- I call it my "Great Pyrenees challenge" -- and the Dreame X50 passed with flying colors. My family quickly grew accustomed to it zipping around, and it became almost like another member of the household -- quirky and sometimes a little confused, but overall very helpful. In the end, watching it conquer obstacles like the base of my Ikea chair, where other robots get stuck, was not just effective -- it was actually fun to watch. A closer look at the Dreame X50 brush roller. It can be removed easily if you ever need to clear anything that might get caught between the dual rollers. Jared Hannah/CNET The specs Price: Approximately $1,700 (at full price) Approximately $1,700 (at full price) Features: Tangle-free roller, climbing arms, navigation turret, mopping with base cleaning, object avoidance. Tangle-free roller, climbing arms, navigation turret, mopping with base cleaning, object avoidance. Connectivity: Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Mapping: Quick mapping, room and flooring detection. Quick mapping, room and flooring detection. Navigation: Camera and lidar. Camera and lidar. App: Live view, customizable settings, pet photos. Live view, customizable settings, pet photos. Cleaning: Vacuum and mop combo. Vacuum and mop combo. Base Station: Mop cleaning and drying, tanks, cleaning solution spot. Mop cleaning and drying, tanks, cleaning solution spot. Cleaning Time: Slower than some. CNET's buying advice The Dreame X50 will take photos of your pets if you enable that setting. You can click on the pet icon on the cleaning map to see the photos after a cleaning cycle. Jared Hannah/CNET The Dreame X50 Ultra is feature-rich, ideal for pets, obstacles and object avoidance. It's best if you want advanced navigation and mopping, and are willing to pay extra for features like the climbing arms and lowering turret. However, it's not the absolute best at pure vacuuming, especially on carpets, and the software can be a bit quirky. At its full price of around $1,700, the Dreame X50 Ultra is a very expensive robot vacuum. If you highly value its unique features like the climbing ability and advanced furniture navigation, then it could be worth the investment. However, if you're primarily concerned with raw vacuuming power or are on a tighter budget, there are more cost-effective options. It's a luxury product, and the value aligns with its premium features. For better carpet vacuuming performance and a lower price point, the Ecovacs Deebot T30Sor the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus both performed better on carpet and pet hair tests during CNET's lab testing. While all three have vacuum and mopping functionality, the Ecovacs Deebot T30S ($1,400 with a stick vac included) or the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 ($600) are both cheaper than the Dreame X50 Ultra ($1,699). It's worth pointing out though, that the Dreame X50 Ultra is one of the few robot vacuums we've tested at CNET with the ability to climb over objects, surmount spaces and lower itself under furniture. This is the live view mode in the app so that you can see what the robot sees in real time from its front facing camera. It's a neat way to check on your house when you're not home. Jared Hannah/CNET To see how the Dreame X50 compares with other models, check out our list of the best robot vacuums available now.
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
QuanWessels athletes to represent SA at IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi
A group of rising young athletes from the QuanWessels Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Academy in Sunninghill have earned their place on the international stage, following standout performances at the MMA South African National Championships. Several members of the team have been selected to represent South Africa at the prestigious International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Youth World Championships, taking place in Abu Dhabi this July. Under the banner of Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA), the national championships showcased the country's top junior talent, and QuanWessels made their mark. 'It is with great pride, watching our boys mature into quality junior athletes with 10 years of planning coming into fruition,' said coach Norman 'Chef' Wessels. Also read: 13-year-old MMA star needs support to compete for SA in Abu Dhabi 'They are a small but quality group of youngsters, going to represent QuanWessels and our country,' added another coach Richard Quan. 'They have done the hours and continue to grow, learn, and mature in our programme. All they need to do now is get on top, stay on top, finish, and win.' The IMMAF Youth World Championships is the premier stage for young mixed martial artists aged 8 to 17, bringing together top athletes from across the globe. For many, it represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete internationally. For Nicholas Sears (13), the road to nationals was not without obstacles. 'It was a major struggle to balance training for nationals while studying for exams at the same time. I just put my head down and dealt with it. Did what I needed to do.' When asked what he would say to his future self before stepping into the cage in Dubai, he said: 'You are gonna 'Fight to the Death' no matter what happens.' ALso read: EFC fighters eye what they want for the future Another team member, Logan Brown, spoke about the personal growth he's experienced through training at QuanWessels. 'I am a lot more confident and comfortable walking around, knowing I can defend myself. I am very excited to compete for South Africa, and to see how I compare to other athletes in other countries.' Even athletes not on the national team, like Stefan van Rooyen, are making the journey to Abu Dhabi to support their teammates. 'Before a big fight, I stay calm by listening to music, doing some light stretching, and visualising the match in my head.' As for his inspiration in the sport, he named UFC star Paddy Pimblett. 'He's fearless, entertaining, and always brings energy to the cage.' For Tiano Marko Massimo Frau, another standout competitor, the opportunity means everything. 'I feel really good. It is really a huge and a great opportunity for me to show the world that, as a South African, we can compete at the highest levels. Never give up, through any struggle, keep training and you will persevere.' Also read: Star-studded EFC 123 card features international matchups While the achievement is historic, the athletes now face a new challenge: Raising funds to cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and gear. 'We're calling on businesses, sponsors, and supporters to help get our kids to the world championships,' said Wessels. 'These children are making South Africa proud. They just need a little help to get there.' Details: [email protected] Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
