El Salvador deploys humanitarian hospital in Venezuela

Khamenei’s funeral sets off alarms

Mourners chanted slogans against President Donald Trump during the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s late supreme leader. The images traveled around the world and provoked an immediate response from Washington.

“We have 1,000 missiles ready and loaded against Iran. Thousands more will be used if they make an attempt on my life,” Trump wrote in Truth Social.

The warning came at a critical time. The ceasefire in the region remains fragile, and any spark could reignite a conflict that has left hundreds dead in recent months.

Cross demands

The United States also demanded that Tehran guarantee free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas trade. Iran rejected the claim and instead proposed charging fees to ships that cross its waters, breaking decades-old agreements.

Washington conditions any negotiations on Iran stopping attacks on commercial vessels and handing over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Tehran has ruled out both conditions.

Diplomats from Oman and Qatar try to mediate to avoid an escalation. But the clashes continue: in recent days, hostile actions left at least 17 dead and more than a hundred injured in Iranian territory.

The international community watches with concern. Control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian nuclear program continue to be the most critical points between both powers, with the risk of a new crisis that impacts global energy markets.

South Africa seeks to avoid 12.5% tariff amid investigation into forced labor

The South African government has asked the United States to exclude it from a tariff proposal linked to a federal investigation into the enforcement of bans on imports of goods made with forced labor.

The South African delegation appeared this week before the Office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington, as part of a Section 301 investigation examining whether at least 60 countries are properly enforcing those bans.

South African representatives argued that the country has strong laws against forced labor and has ratified key International Labor Organization conventions. They also noted that goods produced through prison labor are already prohibited by their legislation.

The mission called for the proposed 12.5% ​​tariff not to be imposed on South African exports. It requested exemptions for key products such as platinum group metals, vehicles, citrus fruits, fish, shellfish, wine and nuts, ensuring that there is no evidence that they are produced with forced labor.

Trade relations between Washington and Pretoria have been strained in recent years due to disagreements over tariffs, South African internal policies and opposing positions in conflicts such as the war in Gaza.

Impact of the AGOA trade agreement

South Africa has long benefited from tariff-free access to the US market through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This program has supported billions of dollars in exports from sub-Saharan Africa. The program is set to expire unless the US Congress renews it.

Commerce Minister Parks Tau stated that the United States remains an important trading partner and that the government will continue to dialogue with Washington about the investigation and other current tariffs, such as those on steel, aluminum and automobiles.

After the hearing, the US Trade Office indicated that additional submissions will be accepted until Thursday before making a decision.

An independent mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documented a Russian system designed to erase the national identity of Ukrainian children and turn them into soldiers. The report, prepared through the Moscow Mechanism, reveals systematic practices of indoctrination and militarization from an early age.

Documented practices

According to experts, minors are exposed to compulsory pro-war propaganda from the age of six. Between 13 and 18 years old, they receive training in weapons handling, tactical medicine and drone operation.

In addition, the report points out the elimination of teaching in Ukrainian and the persecution against those who express their national identity. Upon reaching the age of majority, adolescents are forced to join the Russian armed forces to fight against their country of origin.

The investigation also indicates that children forcibly deported to Russia have suffered violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Possible crimes against humanity

Experts Hervé Ascensio, Elina Šteinerte and Stefan Wolff concluded that these actions could constitute a crime against humanity in the form of persecution, and identified probable war crimes. They recommend that the return of Ukrainian children be a central element of any peace negotiations, without exchanges, and that Russia be held accountable.

Ukraine’s response

Given this situation, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry invited Mexico to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, made up of 47 countries and three international organizations.