International Stabilization Force for Gaza Nears Deployment as U.S.-Led Planning Advances 
Russian Drone Attack Hits Turkish Cargo Ship Carrying Sunflower Oil to Egypt, Ukraine Says 
Global Leaders Condemn Deadly Antisemitic Shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach During Hanukkah 
Supporters Gather Ahead of Verdict in Jimmy Lai’s Landmark Hong Kong National Security Trial 
Thousands Protest in Brazil Against Efforts to Reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s Prison Sentence 
Special Prosecutor Alleges Yoon Suk Yeol Sought North Korea Provocation to Justify Martial Law 
Belarus Frees 123 Political Prisoners in U.S.-Brokered Deal Over Sanctions 
U.S. Soldiers Killed in ISIS Attack in Palmyra, Syria During Counterterrorism Mission 
Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Targets Senior Hamas Commander Amid Ceasefire Tensions 
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Amid Shift in Brazil Relations 
Hong Kong Democratic Party Disbands After Member Vote Amid Security Crackdown 
Trump Signals Two Final Candidates for Fed Chair, Calls for Presidential Input on Interest Rates 
International Outcry Grows Over Re-Arrest of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi in Iran 
Judge Orders Return of Seized Evidence in Comey-Related Case, DOJ May Seek New Warrant 
Preservation Group Sues Trump Administration to Halt $300 Million White House Ballroom Project 
Bolivia Orders Pre-Trial Detention of Former President Luis Arce Over Embezzlement Probe 
U.S. Special Forces Intercept Ship Carrying Military Components Bound for Iran 
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is heading to Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in a high-stakes effort to repair strained bilateral relations. Tensions escalated after Trump criticized South Africa’s land reform policies and genocide case against Israel, prompting aid cuts, the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador, and a controversial welcome to white Afrikaner immigrants.
Ramaphosa aims to shift the narrative toward strengthening trade and investment. The U.S. is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner, and the aid withdrawal has already disrupted critical health programs, including HIV testing for vulnerable populations. His office confirmed the meeting will center on reshaping economic and commercial ties.
In a potential olive branch, Ramaphosa will propose trade incentives for U.S. firms such as Tesla and Starlink, owned by South African-born Elon Musk. Musk has criticized South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment policies, which require larger businesses to either transfer 30% equity to disadvantaged groups or invest equivalently in skills development.
Trump is expected to push for exemptions to these requirements for American companies. However, changes to these laws may be difficult, given their roots in post-apartheid equity reforms.
South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, accompanying Ramaphosa, will advocate for continued duty-free access to U.S. markets under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), currently threatened by Trump’s tariff agenda.
Despite Trump’s claims of disproportionate violence against white farmers, official crime data offers no such evidence. Ramaphosa, a seasoned negotiator and former business magnate, may leverage his international business experience to navigate the sensitive political landscape.
Experts expect critical minerals and broader geopolitical concerns to also feature in talks. While economic incentives may appeal to Trump, deeper political differences may challenge long-term diplomatic progress.
