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  • China, US maintain dialogue ahead of trade talks

    China, US maintain dialogue ahead of trade talks

    As the sixth round of US-China trade negotiations approaches, both nations are maintaining open communication channels to stabilize bilateral economic relations, China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed during a Thursday press briefing. The ministry emphasized Beijing’s commitment to equal-footed consultations aimed at managing differences and expanding practical cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.

    The upcoming discussions have attracted significant attention from analysts who anticipate focus areas will include extending previous short-term agreements and establishing frameworks for future collaboration. Bai Ming, researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, identified key negotiation priorities as China’s demand for the US to abandon restrictive practices against Chinese high-tech industries and Washington’s desire for increased access to strategic materials.

    Recent economic analyses have challenged the fundamental rationale behind tariff strategies, with multiple studies revealing American consumers bear the overwhelming burden of import taxes. A China Securities Co report published Wednesday demonstrated a 92% tariff pass-through rate in 2025, meaning US importers absorbed $92 of every $100 in additional tariff costs. For Chinese goods specifically, which faced cumulative tariff increases of approximately 26 percentage points, the pass-through rate reached 94%, with Chinese exporters reducing dollar-denominated prices by merely 2.5%.

    These findings align with a Federal Reserve Bank of New York study indicating approximately 90% of economic impacts from 2025 tariffs were shouldered by US consumers and businesses rather than foreign exporters. The Washington-based Tax Foundation further estimated these tariffs effectively created an average $1,000 annual tax increase per American household.

    The trade landscape shifted significantly on February 20 when the US Supreme Court ruled the previous administration lacked constitutional authority to impose broad-based tariffs under emergency powers legislation, invalidating specific tariffs on Chinese goods. However, the Biden administration promptly implemented temporary import surcharges for up to 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which took effect Tuesday.

    A Ministry of Commerce spokesperson stated Wednesday that China would ‘take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests’ should the US continue advancing relevant investigations, highlighting the ongoing tensions even as diplomatic exchanges continue.

  • Bangladesh court orders Interpol red notice for arrest of Labour MP Tulip Siddiq

    Bangladesh court orders Interpol red notice for arrest of Labour MP Tulip Siddiq

    A senior judge in Dhaka has mandated the pursuit of an Interpol red notice targeting Tulip Siddiq, a sitting British Labour MP and former Treasury minister, on grounds of corruption. The order was issued by Justice Muhammad Sabbir Foyez on Thursday, responding to a formal application submitted by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission.

    The allegations assert that Siddiq exploited her familial ties to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to improperly influence the allocation of valuable land in Dhaka’s affluent Gulshan district. This development represents the latest escalation in a series of legal actions against the parliamentarian, who has already received three separate prison sentences totaling six years in absentia from Bangladeshi courts on related corruption charges.

    Siddiq, who represents the London constituency of Hampstead and Highgate, has consistently denied all accusations, previously characterizing the judicial proceedings as fundamentally “flawed and farcical from beginning to end.” The Labour Party has echoed these concerns, with a spokesperson emphasizing that Siddiq’s legal team was repeatedly denied the opportunity to make representations despite formal requests, thereby undermining the fairness of the judicial process.

    The case unfolds against a backdrop of profound political transformation in Bangladesh. Siddiq’s aunt, Sheikh Hasina, was ousted from her lengthy premiership by a mass student-led uprising in August 2024 and currently resides in exile in India. Subsequently, a court sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to her government’s lethal crackdown on protesters.

    This political upheaval culminated in November’s general election, widely regarded as the nation’s first free and fair electoral process in nearly two decades, which resulted in a decisive victory for the Bangladeshi National Party (BNP). Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and assassinated President Ziaur Rahman, assumed office as the new premier on February 17th.

  • Iranian, US delegations present ‘practical proposals’ in nuclear talks: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman

    Iranian, US delegations present ‘practical proposals’ in nuclear talks: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman

    In a significant development in the protracted nuclear negotiations, Iranian and American delegations have presented substantial and practical proposals addressing both nuclear limitations and sanctions relief. The talks, conducted indirectly through Omani mediation in Geneva, marked a potential turning point in the longstanding diplomatic stalemate.

    According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, both delegations tabled “very important and practical proposals” during Thursday’s intensive negotiations. The discussions remained exclusively focused on nuclear matters, with Baghaei emphasizing this singular priority following a three-hour session that prompted both sides to briefly adjourn for internal consultations.

    The Omani Foreign Ministry, facilitating the dialogue, reported an “unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions” from both negotiating parties. This assessment suggests a potentially more flexible approach than in previous rounds of discussions.

    Adding significant weight to the proceedings, Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, declared that an immediate agreement could be reached if the primary concern remains preventing Iranian nuclear weapons development. Shamkhani noted this position aligns with both Iran’s defense doctrine and a religious decree issued by Khamenei.

    The negotiations, led by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, occur against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions and US military buildup. Araghchi’s preliminary meeting with Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi on Wednesday evening helped establish Iran’s positions on both nuclear limitations and sanctions relief ahead of the main discussions.

    The talks represent the third round of indirect negotiations between the longstanding adversaries, with previous discussions having yielded limited progress. Both delegations were scheduled to reconvene between 17:30 and 18:00 Geneva time to continue deliberations.

  • Footage shows Israeli forces standing by as Palestinian boy they shot bled out

    Footage shows Israeli forces standing by as Palestinian boy they shot bled out

    Newly surfaced CCTV footage, authenticated and released by the BBC, documents the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Jad Jadallah by Israeli security forces during a military operation in the Fara refugee camp, located south of Tubas in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred in November.

    The video evidence, corroborated by eyewitness accounts, depicts a harrowing scene where approximately 14 soldiers encircled the wounded teenager for a minimum of 45 minutes as he bled on the ground, with no visible attempts to administer emergency medical assistance. Despite the Israeli military’s subsequent claim that “initial medical treatment” was provided, local reports confirm that ambulance crews were actively blocked from accessing the scene to offer aid.

    The army’s justification for the lethal force centers on an accusation that the teen was throwing rocks—an act it claims warrants such a response. However, footage from the scene appears to show a soldier placing an object next to Jadallah’s body after the shooting and photographing it, a move his family and human rights observers condemn as a potential attempt to fabricate evidence.

    The broader CCTV footage provides context: it shows Jadallah and two friends in an alleyway observing the military incursion. Upon sighting the soldiers, one friend flees while Jadallah finds himself in direct proximity to a soldier, who raises his rifle. The teen attempts to run away, seemingly already injured, before the soldier fires again.

    Multiple videos of the incident have circulated. One shows soldiers searching Jadallah’s body before taking it into custody. Another captures the critically wounded boy attempting to rise before collapsing. Critical details, including the number of gunshot wounds, remain unknown as the Israeli military continues to withhold Jadallah’s body, refusing to release it to his family or comment on autopsy findings.

    This practice of retaining Palestinian bodies is permitted under Israeli law. A 2018 amendment to the country’s Counter-Terrorism Law, later upheld by the Supreme Court, authorized the state to withhold the bodies of individuals it deems to have committed acts of violence. Israeli forces labeled Jadallah a “terrorist” posthumously without presenting public evidence.

    Jadallah is one of 55 children killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank last year and part of a total of 227 Palestinian children killed since October 2023. Furthermore, Israeli authorities are currently withholding the bodies of at least 766 identified Palestinians, a number that has nearly doubled since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, despite Hamas having returned all Israeli captives’ bodies.

  • Iran’s talks with US to resume at 17:30-18:00 Geneva time, says foreign ministry spokesman

    Iran’s talks with US to resume at 17:30-18:00 Geneva time, says foreign ministry spokesman

    Diplomatic channels between Iran and the United States are reactivating as both nations prepare to resume critical negotiations in Geneva. According to an official statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, the talks are scheduled to commence between 17:30 and 18:00 local time on February 26, 2026.

    The Iranian negotiating delegation has already departed for the discussion venue in Switzerland, signaling Tehran’s commitment to the diplomatic process. This meeting represents a significant development in the complex relationship between the two nations, which has been characterized by extended periods of tension interspersed with brief diplomatic engagements.

    The timing of these talks coincides with broader geopolitical shifts in the Middle East and comes amid international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program. The Geneva setting provides a neutral ground for both parties to address longstanding disputes and potentially find common ground on security concerns and economic sanctions.

    While the specific agenda items remain undisclosed, observers anticipate discussions will center on nuclear non-proliferation, regional security frameworks, and the potential easing of economic restrictions that have significantly impacted Iran’s economy. The outcome of these talks could have far-reaching implications for Middle Eastern stability and global non-proliferation efforts.

    The resumption of dialogue follows a period of strained relations and represents a cautious step toward diplomatic reconciliation. Both nations approach the negotiating table with distinct priorities and constraints, creating a complex dynamic that will test diplomatic skills on both sides.

  • ‘Trump logic:’ How Trump went from declaring victory over Iran to the cusp of a new war

    ‘Trump logic:’ How Trump went from declaring victory over Iran to the cusp of a new war

    President Donald Trump’s State of the Union declaration that the U.S. “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program stands in stark contrast to his administration’s current warnings about Tehran’s rapid nuclear reconstitution, exposing a fundamental contradiction in White House rhetoric. This paradoxical positioning emerges as the administration appears to be constructing new justifications for potential military action against Iran.

    Senior administration officials, including Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, now assert Iran could be “a week away from having industrial grade bomb making material” – a claim experts find irreconcilable with earlier assertions of complete destruction. The discrepancy highlights what analysts describe as an increasingly concerning pattern of escalation.

    The June 2025 joint U.S.-Israeli operation, dubbed “Midnight Hammer,” targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. While Trump initially celebrated the operation as concluding the Iranian nuclear threat, his own Pentagon assessed the strikes merely set back Iran’s program by up to two years. Current intelligence suggests no evidence of renewed uranium enrichment activities.

    Recent weeks have witnessed a strategic pivot in administration rhetoric, with officials now emphasizing Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities as potential justification for conflict. Trump specifically referenced developing missiles that could threaten Europe and eventually reach U.S. territory, despite Defense Intelligence Agency assessments indicating Iran remains years away from viable intercontinental capabilities.

    The military context reveals substantial U.S. force deployment to the region, including two aircraft carrier strike groups and advanced fighter squadrons – the largest concentration of American military assets in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion. This buildup began during Iranian domestic protests in January, with Trump encouraging demonstrators to “take over government institutions.

    Political analysts point to significant Israeli influence, particularly following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s December White House visit. The Israeli government, having successfully degraded Iran’s air defenses in previous operations, now reportedly seeks U.S. action against Iran’s missile programs, which proved effective during recent conflicts.

    Domestically, the administration faces limited public appetite for conflict, with University of Maryland polling showing only 21% of Americans support war with Iran. Even among Republican voters, support barely reaches 40%. Despite this, experts suggest Trump’s personal commitment to avoiding perceived weakness, particularly comparisons to President Obama’s Syria policy, may drive escalation.

    The administration’s negotiation posture, led by Witkoff and Jared Kushner, appears premised on Iranian capitulation rather than mutual compromise. This approach, combined with the regime change discussions reportedly occurring within administration circles, creates a dangerous environment where miscalculation could trigger conflict, potentially fulfilling the objectives of interventionist factions in Washington and Jerusalem.

  • Israeli army chief ‘silent’ on potentially devastating cost of new war with Iran

    Israeli army chief ‘silent’ on potentially devastating cost of new war with Iran

    Israel’s top military commander has expressed grave concerns in private deliberations about the catastrophic implications of escalating hostilities with Iran, even as official channels maintain public silence on the matter. Chief of Staff General Zamir, who assumed leadership of Israel’s Defense Forces in March 2025, has reportedly cautioned senior officials about the severe national security risks that would emerge from such a confrontation, according to revelations by Ynet on Thursday.

    The military establishment faces significant political pressure from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration to refrain from public discussion of potential consequences and strategic risks associated with military action against Iran. This suppression of military assessment occurs amid heightened regional tensions and widespread public anxiety about possible conflict escalation.

    Military strategists within Israeli defense circles anticipate that any U.S.-Israeli coordinated action against Iran could trigger a prolonged war of attrition, potentially lasting several months. This scenario would involve sustained missile attacks targeting Israeli territory not only from Iran but also through proxy forces in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. The economic impact on Israel’s economy would be substantial, with defense analysts predicting severe strain on national resources.

    Despite Israel’s military preparedness following the June 2025 exchange with Iran, current planning does not account for a joint American-Israeli offensive operation. The Israeli military remains focused on rebuilding its operational capabilities and strengthening defensive positions.

    Diplomatic efforts continue simultaneously, with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner engaging Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva negotiations. These talks occur against a backdrop of anticipated American military action and dangerously elevated tensions affecting the Israeli population.

    Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered characteristically stern warnings to Iran during a Knesset address, stating Israel would respond with unimaginable force to any aggression. However, the Israeli public remembers the recent conflict’s devastation—30 fatalities, 3,200 injuries, and approximately $3 billion in damages from Iranian missile strikes in June.

    The psychological and physical scars remain fresh for many citizens. In Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, hundreds of residents still cannot return to their homes eight months after the previous conflict. Smadar Ronen, a Tel Aviv lawyer evacuated during the June strikes, describes suffering from PTSD and sleeping difficulties while criticizing the government’s inadequate support for affected civilians. Her experience mirrors that of over 15,000 evacuated residents who continue struggling with the war’s aftermath.

    Current military movements, including frequent U.S. aircraft arrivals and naval deployments in the Mediterranean, further intensify public apprehension without accompanying official reassurance, creating an atmosphere of heightened anxiety throughout Israeli society.

  • Iranian press review: Seven protesters face imminent execution

    Iranian press review: Seven protesters face imminent execution

    Iranian authorities have officially confirmed the issuance of death sentences to at least seven individuals detained during recent anti-government demonstrations, marking the first domestic acknowledgment of such judicial decisions. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization had previously documented numerous death penalty cases among protesters, but Tehran’s confirmation signals an escalation in the government’s response to dissent.

    Legal representatives for three condemned prisoners—19-year-old Mohammad Amin Biglari, 31-year-old Yaser Rajaeifar, and 40-year-old Shahab Zohdi—revealed their clients received death rulings on February 7th. Defense attorney Hassan Agakhani disclosed that neither he nor co-counsel Maryam Sadrnia have been permitted access to case files or trial proceedings, creating severe procedural irregularities in the judicial process. Four additional defendants—Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, Amir Hossein Hatami, Shahin Vahediparast, and Ali Fahim—face identical sentences in connection with the same case.

    The government’s delayed announcement of these sentences contrasts with previous protest responses, where executions were rapidly carried out to intimidate dissenters. This unusual postponement follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning of potential military retaliation should executions proceed.

    Contradicting official statements regarding detained minors, educational activists report at least 50 students remain imprisoned despite government claims of universal releases. Mohammad Habibi, spokesperson for the Council of Teachers’ Unions, disputed Education Minister Alireza Kazemi’s assertion that all student protesters had been freed, noting families’ reluctance to publicize detentions over fears of complicating release negotiations. Authorities have attempted to justify ongoing youth detentions by claiming those held aren’t formally enrolled students—an argument legal experts reject as violating compulsory education age protections.

    Simultaneously, Iran’s electoral landscape shows further contraction of political participation. The finalized candidate list for upcoming urban and rural council elections reveals systematic exclusion of reformists and conservative critics. The Etemad daily newspaper characterized the widespread disqualifications as evidence of “structural contraction in local politics” rather than mere factional competition. Reformist figure Ismail Gerami-Moghaddam, himself barred from candidacy, condemned the purges as demonstrating governing bodies’ refusal to adapt despite mounting international pressure and domestic unrest.

    In a separate development, Iranian authorities attributed a mass text message received by approximately 50,000 citizens—purportedly from U.S. President Trump threatening imminent action—to foreign hacking of the national messaging system. This incident mirrors similar cybersecurity breaches following last year’s military confrontation with Israel.

  • Fujian reiterates private sector as a pillar of high-quality growth

    Fujian reiterates private sector as a pillar of high-quality growth

    In a powerful demonstration of policy continuity, East China’s Fujian province has emphatically reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing the private sector as the cornerstone of its high-quality development strategy. The provincial leadership convened its annual symposium with prominent private entrepreneurs on February 26, 2026—marking the sixth consecutive year that this gathering has been designated as the inaugural working session following the Chinese New Year holiday.

    The high-level dialogue provided a strategic platform for direct engagement between government officials and business leaders, facilitating substantive discussions on industrial modernization and innovation-driven growth. Entrepreneurs contributed firsthand perspectives on market dynamics and proposed concrete measures to stimulate regional economic vitality during these exchanges.

    Economic indicators substantiate Fujian’s private-sector focus: provincial GDP exceeded 6 trillion yuan ($877 billion) in 2025, with private enterprises generating 77.4% of total economic growth while achieving a 5.5% year-on-year increase in added value.

    Zhou Zuyi, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Fujian Provincial Committee, characterized the private economy as both the province’s essential vitality and distinctive competitive advantage. He articulated the government’s tripartite role as “partner,” “servant,” and “guardian,” pledging to cultivate an optimal business environment throughout the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

    This provincial initiative reflects a broader national trend, with multiple Chinese provinces including Anhui, Guangdong, Shandong, and Hubei simultaneously conducting their own post-holiday meetings focused on technological innovation and private sector development to launch the new five-year planning cycle.

  • Could a horseshoe medal solve a 26-year mystery?

    Could a horseshoe medal solve a 26-year mystery?

    A distinctive horseshoe-shaped medal bearing the inscription “MacGinty” has emerged as the pivotal clue in solving a 26-year-old mystery surrounding an unidentified man recovered from Cork’s River Lee. The case, recently featured on RTÉ’s Crimecall program, represents one of Ireland’s most perplexing unidentified person investigations.

    In July 1999, authorities recovered the body of a man believed to be between 40-60 years old from the river just outside Cork city. Despite extensive investigations by An Garda Síochána (Irish police), the man’s identity remains unknown. The victim carried no personal documentation, making the collection of items found with him crucial to solving the mystery.

    David Varian of Cork City Missing Persons Search And Recovery suggests the distinctive spelling on the medal could indicate origins beyond the Republic of Ireland. “The Gardaí have done extensive searching here in Ireland and nobody has been able to trace it back to this individual,” Varian noted. “The MacGinty name is popular in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with this particular spelling more common in Scotland.”

    The investigation revealed several unusual aspects about the case. The man was dressed in multiple layers of clothing, including navy trousers, green striped trousers, and blue jeans worn simultaneously. His possessions included wooden rosary beads, holy water, religious medals, a Silver Philip Mercier watch with gold face, and a Claddagh ring. His brown boots contained paper lining labeled “Reality April 99.”

    Despite comprehensive efforts including DNA analysis and cross-referencing with missing persons databases, no matches have been found. The post-mortem examination confirmed drowning as the cause of death, but decomposition prevented establishing how long the body had been in the water. Gardaí initially believed the man may have lived a “transient lifestyle.”

    The physical description indicates a man approximately 5’10” with a strong build, short neck, dark hair, and short grey facial hair. Investigators are now expanding their appeal internationally, hoping the distinctive medal and personal effects might trigger recognition from communities in Northern Ireland or Scotland.

    As Varian emphasized: “It could help give closure to a family” who may have been wondering about their missing relative for over two decades. Gardaí continue to request anyone with information to come forward.