Africa & World

North Korea has officially declared its involvement in the war against Ukraine, confirming for the first time that it has deployed troops to fight alongside Russian forces.

In a report published by state news agency KCNA, Pyongyang’s military announced that its soldiers contributed to the “complete liberation” of Russia’s Kursk border region, following an order from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The report framed the deployment as part of a broader military alliance with Moscow under a mutual defense treaty.

The announcement marks a major escalation, as it effectively places North Korea in a state of war against Ukraine. It comes just days after Russia’s Chief of General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, publicly praised the “heroism” of North Korean troops—the first official acknowledgment from Moscow of Pyongyang’s role in the conflict.

Responding to the development, the United States condemned North Korea’s actions, stating that Pyongyang must bear responsibility for prolonging the war.

South Korean and Western intelligence agencies had previously reported that North Korea sent thousands of troops to the Kursk region in 2024, although Pyongyang had not confirmed this until now.

According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un praised the deployed soldiers, calling them “heroes” and “representatives of the honour of the motherland.” The report added that the fighting in Kursk demonstrated the “alliance and brotherhood” between North Korea and Russia, describing it as a “friendship proven by blood” that would further strengthen bilateral ties.

Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, will be succeeded following a papal conclave in the Sistine Chapel.

After nine days of official mourning, cardinals from around the world will assemble in the Chapel to cast secret ballots.

The election process typically lasts two to three weeks; all ballots are burned after each round of voting.

Once a new pope is elected, white smoke will signal the result from the Chapel’s chimney. A Mass celebrating the inauguration of the 267th pope is scheduled for a few days thereafter.

In the interim, Cardinal Kevin Farrell an Irish‑born prelate who holds U.S. citizenship will serve as camerlengo.

He will oversee day‑to‑day Vatican administration and manage all preparations for the conclave.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday directed that American flags be flown at half-staff nationwide in honour of Pope Francis.

The order follows a post on Trump’s Truth Social account in which he wrote: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”

In a formal statement, Trump announced that he had signed an executive order mandating that all U.S. flags—federal, state, and military—be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for the late pontiff.

“As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on the day of interment,” the statement read.

The directive also extends to all U.S. embassies, consular offices, and military installations abroad for the same duration.

Trump described Pope Francis as a “good man” who “worked so hard and loved the world.”

President Donald J. Trump announced a significant shift in his trade policy on Wednesday, reducing tariffs on most U.S. imports to a flat 10% and suspending steeper levies on dozens of countries for 90 days.

In a striking exception, tariffs on Chinese goods were raised to 125%, escalating tensions with Beijing and reshaping the global economic landscape.

The decision, detailed in a statement on Truth Social and elaborated upon in brief remarks to reporters, follows a tumultuous week in which Mr.

Trump’s initial tariff plan unveiled April 2 and implemented at midnight Wednesday—sent markets into a tailspin.

That earlier policy imposed a baseline 10% tariff on all imports, with “reciprocal” rates ranging from 11% to 50% targeting nearly 90 countries based on their own trade barriers. The result was a $6.6 trillion loss in global stock market value and a surge in U.S. bond yields to 4.5%, prompting urgent calls from trading partners.

Citing diplomatic outreach from more than 75 countries, Mr. Trump authorized the 90-day pause and tariff reduction to 10%, effective immediately, for most nations. “They’ve agreed to negotiate a solution,” he wrote, urging allies to refrain from retaliatory measures. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the move as a calculated step to foster trade talks, with delegations from Japan, Israel, and other nations already preparing to visit Washington.

Canada and Mexico, however, remain subject to separate 25% tariffs linked to border security concerns, though goods compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement are exempt.

China, by contrast, faces a sharply intensified penalty. After Beijing retaliated Wednesday with an 84% tariff on U.S. export, Trump pushed the rate to 125%.

The White House framed the increase as a response to China’s unwillingness to engage constructively, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stating on X that Beijing had “chosen the opposite direction” from global cooperation.

The administration signaled that further measures could follow if China does not alter its stance.

Financial markets welcomed the broader tariff relief. The S&P 500 surged 9.5%, its largest single day gain since 2008, while the Nasdaq climbed 12.2%. Shares of import-heavy companies like Wayfair and Nike rose 20% and 10%, respectively. Oil prices increased by 4%, and Asian markets followed suit Thursday, with Japan’s Nikkei up 9% despite uncertainty over China’s next moves.

Beijing condemned the U.S. escalation, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian calling it an “abuse of tariff power” and promising unspecified countermeasures. State media warned of potential restrictions on American agricultural goods and cultural exports, raising fears of a deeper rupture in the $575 billion U.S.-China trade relationship.

Domestically, the policy shift drew varied reactions. Congressional Democrats, including Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, accused Mr. Trump of backtracking under pressure, while some Republican allies praised the flexibility as strategic.

Business leaders expressed cautious optimism but noted that even a 10% tariff could strain supply chains and raise consumer prices over time.