Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during his visit to Switzerland from May 9 to 12, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce confirmed on Wednesday.
The talks come after the new U.S. administration imposed a series of unilateral tariff measures, which China said have disrupted bilateral relations and global trade order.
In response, China took firm [countermeasures,->https://en.igihe.com/business/article/trade-war-heats-up-as-china-strikes-back-with-125-tariffs-on-u-s-goods] defending what it calls its legitimate rights and interests.
According to a ministry spokesperson, the U.S. recently expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue, prompting China to agree to talks after careful consideration of global expectations, national interest, and feedback from U.S. industry stakeholders.
China emphasized that any negotiation must be based on mutual respect, equality, and reciprocal benefit, warning against the use of dialogue as a tool for coercion or blackmail.
The spokesperson added that China would not compromise on its core principles and reiterated its commitment to fair international trade, the World Trade Organization, and multilateralism.
The incident was confirmed on Wednesday by Pakistan’s Minister of Defense in a televised address.
Earlier that day, India’s Ministry of Defence stated it had carried out strikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, claiming the action was in retaliation for a terror attack on April 22 in the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Kashmir that left over 20 civilians dead.
In response, Pakistan strongly condemned the Indian strikes, calling them an unprovoked act of war and a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement that the Indian Air Force had violated Pakistan’s airspace using standoff weapons to target civilian areas.
The strikes reportedly hit Bahawalpur and Sheikhupura districts in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, as well as Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Kotli districts in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistani army, said that at least 26 people were killed and 46 others injured after India carried out strikes on six civilian settlements in Pakistan.
In a statement issued Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on both nations to exercise maximum restraint, warning: “The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”
He had earlier described the situation as the most dangerous in years between the two South Asian nuclear powers, urging both governments to resolve their differences diplomatically.
“A military solution is no solution,” he emphasized, offering his good offices to help ease tensions.
The Secretary-General also condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, calling it “unacceptable” and urging that those responsible be brought to justice through “credible and lawful means.”
The attack occurred on May 3, 2025, in the dense Katupa forest, located in Macomia District.
According to RDF spokesperson Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, the ambush was carried out by insurgents. He noted that while Rwanda suffered casualties, the enemy incurred significant losses.
“Yes, it happened on May 3 in Katupa forest. The soldiers were on duty when they were ambushed. Three were killed and six injured, but they are recovering. The enemy suffered heavy casualties,” Brig Gen Rwivanga told IGIHE.
Katupa forest, in northern Macomia, is one of the regions where insurgents regrouped after being expelled from other areas of Cabo Delgado. The area was previously under the control of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission.
In late 2023, Rwandan forces engaged in intense fighting in the region and successfully rescued approximately 600 hostages held by insurgents.
The latest attack comes as Rwanda is also involved in training Mozambique’s national forces to strengthen their capacity to independently protect their country once international missions conclude.
Mozambique’s Army Chief, Maj Gen Tiago Alberto Nampele, previously stated that 95% of insurgent activity had been eliminated by the end of 2023.
However, he acknowledged that small militant cells remained in areas like Katupa, where they operate from mobile camps and avoid setting up fixed bases.
In response, Rwandan forces have intensified surveillance using helicopters, particularly after the discovery of landmines planted by insurgents in the forest. In 2024, a Mozambican military vehicle was destroyed by one such explosive in Katupa.
Since Rwanda’s initial deployment to Mozambique to combat the Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah insurgent group, several high-ranking militant leaders have been eliminated.
In August 2023, RDF troops killed the group’s top commander during a targeted ambush on August 16. Most of the group’s original leadership has since been dismantled and replaced by new operatives.
Currently, Rwanda’s security operations in Mozambique are led by Maj Gen Emmy Ruvusha, who commands the Joint Task Force (JTF).
He is supported by Brig Gen Justus Majyambere, the Task Force Battle Group Commander. The Rwandan police contingent in Mozambique is headed by CP William Kayitare, with ACP Francis Muheto serving as his deputy.
He urged the officer to remain focused on their duties and the overarching goals of their mission, highlighting their critical role in maintaining peace and security, and particularly protection of civilians.
The two contingents–Rwanda Formed Unit One (RWAFPU-1) of 140 officers and Rwanda Formed Police Unit-Two (RWAFPU-2) of 180 officers will replace their colleagues in Bangui and Kaga Bandoro, respectively.
RWAFPU-1 is commanded by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bernardin Nsengiyumva while RWAFPU2 is under the command of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Jules Rutayisire.
DIGP Sano reminded the officers of the significance to carry the Rwandan flag with honor and dignity to uphold the Rwandan legacy.
He further emphasized the core values such as teamwork, discipline, loyalty, and patriotism towards a successful tour-of-duty.
The Deputy Police Chief also reiterated the importance of operational readiness, handling contingent owned equipment well, mental resilience, and cultural sensitivity.
“You are entrusted by your country to undertake Police related duties under the UN flag. The guidance you receive reinforces the training you have undergone, and it is essential to integrate this knowledge into your work. By conducting yourselves with professionalism, you will enhance the reputation of the nation you represent,” DIGP Sano said.
“You are deployed to contribute to peace and restore security in the CAR. To fulfill your responsibilities effectively, it is essential to follow in the footsteps of your predecessors with professionalism, integrity, commitment, and diligence” the Deputy Police Chief said.
Rwanda started its peace support operations in CAR in 2014, and currently maintains four contingents there–three Formed Police Units and a Protection Support Unit (PSU)
PSU also operates in the capital Bangui while RWAFPU-3 is deployed in Bangassou.
The PSU is largely charged with ensuring protection for high profile government and UN officials, including the Prime Minister, President of National Assembly, Minister of State in charge of Justice, and MINUSCA Head of Police component, among others.
He was presenting the 2024 Annual Audit Report to both chambers of Parliament on May 6, 2025.
The report, covering the fiscal year ending 30 June 2024, also detailed other improvements, including a reduction in unlawful expenditure and significant recoveries through preventive audits.
The increase to 94% of public entities earning unqualified opinions on their financial statements reflects growing adherence to financial standards.
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) expanded its audit coverage, examining 239 public entities and issuing 242 financial audit reports and 243 compliance audit reports, compared to 222 and 220, respectively, in 2023.
Additionally, the OAG conducted 18 performance audits, 7 information systems audits, and 10 special audits requested by stakeholders.
Compliance with laws and regulations improved, with 75% of entities receiving unqualified opinions, up from 69%. Value-for-money audits also advanced, with 66% of entities achieving unqualified opinions, compared to 59% in 2023.
Preventive audits were a key success, enabling the recovery or adjustment of Frw 9.29 billion in inflated bills out of Frw 9.39 billion identified since 2023.
Unlawful expenditure decreased to Frw 2.04 billion in 2024 from Frw 2.57 billion in 2023, reflecting enhanced oversight.
Despite these gains, challenges remain, including delayed contracts, stalled construction projects, and idle assets.
The implementation rate of audit recommendations rose slightly to 60% from 59%, indicating a need for better follow-through.
According to the Office of the President, discussions centered on the ICRC’s work in Rwanda and beyond.
The ICRC has been working with the Government of Rwanda since 1963, establishing a permanent presence in the country in 1990.
The organization collaborates closely with government institutions on matters related to policy, law enforcement, and training, aiming to promote adherence to international humanitarian law.
Beyond Rwanda, the ICRC plays a key role in supporting families affected by conflict in the Great Lakes Region, especially in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—an area long plagued by instability.
Rwanda currently hosts over 130,000 refugees, primarily from the DRC and Burundi, who receive continued support from international partners including the UNHCR and the ICRC, in collaboration with the Rwandan government.
The competitions were part of the We Can Work project, an initiative led by Light for the World and supported by the Mastercard Foundation. The goal of the project is to highlight the talents and contributions of young people with disabilities in the workplace and beyond.
These contests encouraged participants to share stories with the power to inspire and shift perceptions about disability.
Joseph Rugemandinzi, an agronomist with physical and visual impairments, holds a master’s degree in Fertilizer Science and Technology from Morocco. He is also a filmmaker.
Speaking to IGIHE, he said the competition provided a powerful platform to showcase untapped talent and advocate for inclusion.
“It means a lot—especially for someone with a disability—to demonstrate that we can contribute to personal and national development. In my case, I want to contribute to the growth of Rwanda’s film industry because I studied it,” Rugemandinzi said.
His submitted story featured a man who lost his sight later in life but continued working with the same dedication and skill he had before his visual impairment.
“This man used to weave and sell baskets as a child. Even after becoming visually impaired, he kept doing the same job just as well,” Rugemandinzi explained.
Patrick Mfitumukiza, a student of Entrepreneurial Leadership at the African Leadership University, shared his personal journey—navigating the emotional and societal challenges that came with having a physical disability.
“I used to believe that jobs were only given to people without disabilities. These thoughts can trap you and stop you from moving forward,” he told IGIHE.
Both Rugemandinzi and Mfitumukiza received awards, professional internships, and were named ambassadors for the We Can Work initiative, which aims to create one million jobs for youth with disabilities across the participating countries within eight years.
“Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a historic opportunity for illegal aliens to receive both financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP (Customs & Border Protection) Home App,” the department said in a statement.
“Any illegal alien who uses the CBP Home App to self-deport will also receive a stipend of 1,000 dollars, paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app,” the statement read.
The department noted that even with the cost of the stipend, it is projected that self-deportation using the app will decrease the costs of a deportation by around 70 percent. Currently the average cost to arrest, detain, and remove an illegal alien is 17,121 dollars.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
In a recent rally speech in Michigan, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed his first 100 days in office were the most successful of any U.S. administration in history, citing policies like increased deportations of illegal immigrants as key achievements.
Despite Trump claiming victory, mass deportations remain below targets due to logistical, legal, and diplomatic constraints.
“One area where the administration appears to be failing to meet its enforcement goals is in the number of deportations,” according to a recent analysis published by the Brookings Institution.
“The numbers of deportations remain modest, but the chilling effects are potentially severe,” the analysis said.
Meanwhile, many experts expressed concerns about the implications of the administration’s immigration policies.
“Americans worry about immigrants crossing the border illegally, so that has been a good issue for (Trump) politically. But polls show that people don’t like his approach and feel he has been deporting people without any due process,” Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.
At Qingdao, automation, artificial intelligence, and green energy converge to create a smart port that is setting new standards for the 21st century.
From the moment a vessel approaches the berth, every move is orchestrated by advanced systems: cranes detect ship contours and unload containers autonomously, guided vehicles (AGVs) glide across the dock using real-time data to avoid collisions, and all cargo is sorted, stored, or dispatched with machine precision.
Two core platforms, A-TOS and A-ECS, drive this seamless performance, directing operations from ship scanning to truck coordination with minimal human input.
Hydrogen-powered machines and 5G-enabled logistics boost the speed and sustainability of port activities, while automated gates ensure quick customs clearance without the need for paper documentation or long waits.
As the port transitions toward full reliance on clean energy, it leverages solar, wind, and storage systems to reduce emissions. All of this makes Qingdao a pioneering model of how modern infrastructure can be built not only for efficiency but also for sustainability.
Yet the true significance of Qingdao Port extends far beyond its technical sophistication. It lies in how the port serves as a backbone of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), weaving Africa into a broader web of trade, infrastructure, and diplomacy.
Acting as a launch point for China-Europe rail corridors and maritime routes to Africa, Qingdao has become a logistical hub where oceans and continents meet. Africa’s role in this system is growing rapidly. Apparently more of Qingdao’s container traffic now involves BRI countries, with Kenya, Egypt, Senegal, and Morocco emerging as key trading partners.
Cold chain systems at the port handle 15% of China’s frozen seafood imports, much of it from Africa, while agricultural exports from East Africa are seamlessly routed through Qingdao’s integrated customs platforms.
As Chinese companies expand their footprint through African port infrastructure deals, often under debt-for-infrastructure frameworks, Qingdao serves as the operational command center linking those distant nodes into a single trade ecosystem.
By the numbers, Qingdao’s 2024 performance reflects its growing global role. The port handled 30.87 million TEUs in container traffic, a 7.3 percent rise from the previous year, securing its spot as China’s fourth busiest container terminal.
Total cargo volume reached 712 million tons, buoyed by strong flows of bulk commodities like iron ore and oil. The Qianwan Automated Terminal alone processed 9 million TEUs using AI-powered systems.
Qingdao added 12 new international shipping routes in 2024, including direct links to Egypt’s Sokhna Port and Greece’s Piraeus, strengthening access to both African and European markets.
The port is poised to boost container capacity by another 10 million TEUs annually by 2025, largely to accommodate rising trade with BRI partners. It also expanded its energy handling capacity by acquiring key oil assets, reinforcing its strategic role as a regional energy hub.
On the environmental front, Qingdao joined hands with the Port of Long Beach in the U.S. to launch a green shipping corridor, while upgrading its own logistics with innovations like monorail container systems and next-gen smart grids.
In the grand scheme, Qingdao Port is not just moving cargo—it is reshaping global trade routes and tightening the links between China and the Global South, particularly Africa.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death.”
“Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated,” Trump said in the post, calling the situation “a National Security threat.”
“Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100 percent Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” he added.
Trump’s announcement caused a stir nationwide, especially in the film industry. The Hollywood Reporter, a major Hollywood industry magazine, wrote that it “could shake up the entertainment industry.”
“There are a number of expensive tentpoles due out in the coming months that filmed overseas. Would they be grandfathered in via a grace period or hit with a tariff?” the news outlet asked.
Variety, another major industry news outlet, also said that it’s “a move that sent shockwaves through Hollywood.”
“Studio executives convened emergency calls after Trump issued his declaration, though there is enormous uncertainty about whether the president has the authority to institute these tariffs, as well as how they would work practically,” Variety reported. “It was also unclear what the impact would be on the many films that shoot overseas.”
“Trump has complained about trade deficits as he has imposed tariffs on other countries, but the movie industry has been a bright spot,” said Deadline, a premier publication for Hollywood business, adding that the industry generated a positive balance of trade in every major market in the world, with exports 3.1 times that of imports.
“Other countries also could respond to the 100 percent tariff with their own duties on U.S. films, which would have an impact on international box office returns, which are a huge chunk of major studio revenue,” the news outlet warned.
