Trade tariffs announced by President Donald Trump affirm the urgency to negotiate a new bilateral and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the US, South Africa’s Presidency said.

“Whilst South Africa remains committed to a mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States, unilaterally imposed and punitive tariffs are a concern and serve as a barrier to trade and shared prosperity,” the Presidency said in a statement Thursday.

Source: Bloomberg

Apple Product Prices May Rise Due to New U.S. Tariffs

Apple may face higher production costs as a result of new U.S. tariffs, potentially leading to price increases for consumers.

Some of the steepest tariffs target countries where Apple assembles its devices: Vietnam (46%), China (34%), and India (26%).

According to The New York Times, Apple now faces a choice — absorb the costs and reduce profits, or pass them on to customers.

Following the announcement, Apple’s stock dropped 5.7% in after-hours trading.

North Korea’s Cyber Heists Fuel Nuclear Ambitions

North Korea is stealing over $6 billion in cryptocurrency in the last decade to fund its nuclear weapons programme.

At the heart of this effort is North Korea's "IT Warriors" program, which comprises more than 8,000 highly trained hackers. The programme was first mentioned in the 1990s by the late leader, Kim Jong Il, who said that "future wars will be computerised".

Some of the most notable recent attacks include:

• WazirX hack (July 2024): Hackers infiltrate India's largest cryptocurrency exchange and steal more than $200 million in a rapid, automated operation involving more than 400 transactions in just over an hour.

• Bybit heist (2025): In what is now the largest known crypto theft in history, North Korea stole $1.5 billion from Bybit, a major global crypto exchange.

Investigators say North Korea's cyber operatives have posed as Western tech firm remote IT workers using fake or stolen identities. This provides the regime with access to sensitive networks and enables it to generate income, as in a scheme that allegedly earned North Korean nationals $88 million from US tech salaries.

Source: WSJ

Yemen’s Houthis shot down another American MQ-9 Reaper UAV over Al-Hudaydah.

This is the second MQ-9 downed in 72 hours.

Total MQ-9 UAV losses in Yemen: 17

💰 Total cost of the Reaper UAVs lost by the U.S. in Yemen: $527 million.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz:

I warn Syria’s ruler, al-Julani: If you allow hostile forces to enter Syria and threaten Israel’s security interests, you will pay a very heavy price.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz:

Israeli Air Force’s operations serve as a warning for the future — we will not allow harm to the security of the State of Israel.

Hungary will withdraw from International Criminal Court (ICC).

Source: Hungary's MTI

Turkish MoD sources:

Unofficial or misleading reports regarding developments in Syria—whether real or alleged—should not be trusted unless confirmed by official sources.

Bulgaria has received its first F-16 Block 70 jet from the US.

Bulgaria will procure a total of 16 F-16 jets.

Italy's PM Meloni has cancelled all engagements for the day to focus on actions to take in response to US tariffs.

NEW: Israeli army is close to controlling 30% of the Gaza Strip with its recent attacks in the south and north of Gaza, Israeli sources told the Jerusalem Post.

French PM Bayrou on Trump tariffs:

This marks a catastrophe for the world economy.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar:

Türkiye's intention is for Syria to be a Turkish protectorate.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar:

Türkiye is playing a negative role in Syria, Lebanon, and other regions.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot during his official visit to Paris. Bilateral relations and regional developments were discussed.

• Stressed need for EU–non-member coordination on Europe’s security
• Backed diplomatic end to Russia–Ukraine war; lasting peace needs both sides' consent
• Called for engagement with Syria’s new administration & full lifting of sanctions
• Emphasized defense cooperation, fight vs PKK/YPG, and repatriation of foreign ISIS fighters
• Warned against Israel’s actions, risking regional instability
• Urged uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza; supported Arab League’s Gaza Plan
• Explored boosting economic & energy ties

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar:

We do not rule out diplomatic path to stop Iran getting a nuclear weapon.

German Chancellor Scholz:

Even if we did nothing in response, the tariffs will cause problems for the U.S. economy.

It would be a serious economic error.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck:

Donald Trump will buckle under pressure from Germany and Europe in an escalating trade war.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Le Pen ban:

France has “killed democracy”.