As he lived in a tent and battled to provide for his family, Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters journalist killed by Israeli fire on Monday while running a live video feed at Gaza's Nasser Hospital, covered the suffering of civilians during the conflict. According to journalist colleagues, Masri, 49, was a seasoned cameraman who was well-liked by Gaza's close-knit community of reporters because of his upbeat demeanor in the most perilous circumstances. In the months before his death, he would say, "Tomorrow will be better," despite the fact that the Palestinian enclave was becoming increasingly desolate and hungry. That was the conclusion of his final discussion with Mohamed Salem, a senior Reuters visuals journalist who had collaborated with Masri in Rafah, in southern Gaza, last year and had known him since 2003. Salem, who left Gaza later in 2024 but stayed in daily contact with Masri until Monday morning, said he was a pleasure to work with because of his smiles and o...
The US says Trump has the last say, but the tariff truce between the US and China is in effect for the time being.
Following two days of negotiations in Stockholm to defuse a growing trade war between the two largest economies in the world that is endangering global growth, U.S. and Chinese officials decided Tuesday to seek an extension of their 90-day tariff truce.
President Donald Trump will have to decide whether to extend a trade truce that ends on August 12 or possibly allow tariffs to rise back to triple-digit levels, according to U.S. officials, who did not announce any significant progress.
Trump has negotiated trade agreements with the European Union, Japan, and other countries after months of threatening high tariffs on trading partners. However, these negotiations are complicated by China's dominant economy and control over global rare earth flows.
In May, both parties retracted their plans to impose triple-digit tariffs on one another, which would have effectively created a bilateral trade embargo. But in the absence of an agreement, global supply chains and financial markets may experience fresh unrest.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters that Trump will have the last say on whether to extend a truce.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer added that another 90-day extension is an option.
"We'll update him on the procedure we followed here. We definitely had productive meetings in order to return with a positive report. However, he will decide whether to prolong the pause," Greer stated following discussions at the Swedish prime minister's office in central Stockholm, Rosenbad.
After talks in Geneva and London, Bessent said the agreements on the flow of Chinese rare earths were getting more refined and that the U.S. and Chinese officials would probably meet again in about 90 days.
"Good interpersonal relationships and mutual respect were being developed. "I believe we have a far better understanding of their agenda," he said.
The International Monetary Fund highlighted the stakes by increasing its forecast for global growth on Tuesday but identifying a possible tariff rate rebound as a significant risk.
According to Li Chenggang, China's top trade negotiator, both parties understand how important it is to keep their trade and economic ties stable and sound.
The discussions may lead to a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year, although Trump denied actively seeking one and U.S. officials said the subject was not brought up.
Greer and Bessent emphasized the need for China to transition from a state-led, export-driven manufacturing economy to one driven by increased consumer demand, which would help U.S. exports. The Stockholm meetings also featured a lengthy discussion on the U.S. and Chinese economies.
SOURCE : NEW AGENCIES