The United States is set to impose new tariffs that could hit dozens of countries soon, trade envoy Jamieson Greer signalled on Tuesday (Jul 21), with President Donald Trump’s temporary global levies due to expire this week.

The Trump administration has prepared fresh tariffs targeting 60 trading partners over their alleged failures to act against forced labour, as officials push to rebuild the US leader’s trade agenda after legal setbacks.

“We expect to see some action soon,” Greer told CNBC when asked if new duties were incoming. He did not specify a timeline.

Trump imposed a 10 per cent global duty this year after a swath of his tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court in February, but this levy expires on Friday.

Analysts expect that new tariffs over forced labour concerns – set between 10 per cent and 12.5 per cent – would replace these temporary duties.

They come as Trump makes a renewed push to use tariffs as leverage against US trading partners, sparking fears of retaliation and diplomatic tensions.

Washington announced a fresh 25 per cent duty on certain Brazilian goods last week, and on Monday unveiled a 50 per cent levy on many Canadian products to take effect in 30 days.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that he was looking at “all options”, adding that he and Trump had agreed to “intensify discussions” in the coming weeks on a possible deal.

On Tuesday, Trump announced a new 100 per cent sector-specific tariff on imported generic drugs to take effect from August 2028, with that level rising to 200 per cent in 2029.

For now, the US leader said the tariff on generic drugs would be cut to zero from August 2026, in an effort to build a window for the onshoring of such pharmaceutical production to the United States.

FORCED LABOUR CONCERNS

Greer said Tuesday that new action on forced labour will cover the majority of US trade, with the moves likely to reignite trade tensions.

A 10 per cent tariff rate would hit US imports from partners including Canada, the European Union, Mexico, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. They were found to have taken steps against forced labour.

Goods from over 40 other major economies like China, India and Japan face a 12.5 per cent levy.

The EU previously said that it considers tariffs imposed on these grounds “unjustified”. (CNA/ AFP)

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The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has reminded mid‑career professionals that applications are closing soon for the prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for the 2027–2028 academic year.

The fellowship, part of the Fulbright Exchange Program, is a fully funded, non‑degree, 10‑month opportunity in the United States designed to provide professional development and leadership growth. 

Selected fellows will benefit from academic study, professional affiliations, airfare, health insurance, and other support.

The program is open to mid‑career professionals with a proven record of leadership in the public or private sector. 

Fellows spend ten months in the U.S. expanding their expertise, building networks, and learning alongside American leaders in their fields.

Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2026.

Further details and application instructions are available on the Fulbright Sri Lanka website: fulbrightsrilanka.org/award/humphrey. (Newswire)

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Global perceptions of the United States have taken a downturn, with fresh survey data showing China now viewed more positively than the U.S. across most of the 36 countries polled. 

According to a new study by the Pew Research Center, conducted between February and May 2026 among more than 42,000 adults worldwide, the findings reveal a striking shift: while confidence in U.S. leadership has eroded during President Donald Trump’s second term, views of China and its leader Xi Jinping have steadily improved. 

Global views of the United States worsened last year as President Donald Trump’s second term began, though most people still had a more positive opinion of the U.S. than China. This year, that is no longer the case. 

Views of China have improved in recent years while opinions of the U.S. have worsened, to the point where China is now seen more positively than the U.S. in most of the 36 countries surveyed.

Confidence in these countries’ respective leaders to do the right thing regarding world affairs has followed a similar pattern. In the latter half of Joe Biden’s presidency, confidence in him was higher than confidence in Chinese President Xi Jinping across most countries surveyed, though Biden’s rating declined in many places from 2023 to 2024.

During the first two years of Trump’s second term, ratings of the U.S. president worsened significantly. While many people still lack confidence in Xi, positive views of him have become more widespread, and more overall now say they have confidence in Xi than in Trump.

One area where the U.S. still gets higher ratings than China has to do with personal freedoms: More say the U.S. government respects the personal freedoms of its people than say the same of the Chinese government. Still, the gap has been narrowing – driven by large drops in the shares saying the U.S. government respects personal freedoms.

As China and the U.S. compete for influence around the world, we also examined how people in six Latin American countries see their foreign policy roles. People in these nations previously tended to see the U.S. as a more reliable partner than China, but several publics are now split. For more, read “How do views of the U.S. and China compare in Latin America? ”

In the sections below, we compare international public opinion on the U.S. and China, their leaders, their foreign policy roles and more. Results are based on surveys of 42,151 adults conducted Feb. 8-May 13, 2026.

Views of the U.S. and China

In most of the 36 countries surveyed, more people have a favorable view of China than of the U.S. The gap is especially large in several Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern countries.

Americans’ nearest neighbors – Canadians and Mexicans – also view China more positively than the U.S.

The U.S. is viewed more positively than China in just six countries, including four in the Asia-Pacific region: India, Japan, the Philippines and South Korea.

Views of the U.S. and China over time

China being assessed more positively than the U.S. is a relatively recent shift in most countries surveyed. This reversal in favorability is often driven by shifting views of both superpowers: improving views of China coupled with worsening views of the U.S.

For example, a majority of Canadians (57%) had a positive view of the U.S. in 2023, while 14% viewed China positively. In 2025, Canadians were equally favorable toward the U.S. and China. Now, more Canadians have a favorable view of China (44%) than the U.S. (33%).

We see the same pattern in a number of other countries.

Confidence in Trump and Xi

Confidence in both Trump and Xi is generally low. But people in many of the 36 countries surveyed view Xi more favorably.

In European countries, for example, neither leader gets a majority-positive rating, but views of Xi tend to be more favorable than views of Trump. In Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, Xi leads Trump by double digits, though his highest favorability rating is just 37%, from the U.K.

In several nations that neighbor China – India, the Philippines and Japan – Trump receives higher ratings than Xi. While South Koreans now view the two leaders similarly, this reflects a dramatic shift from last year, when that public was around twice as confident in Trump (33%) as in Xi (15%).

More say the U.S. respects the freedoms of its people than China, but that gap is shrinking

For more than a decade, we have asked people if they think the U.S. and Chinese governments respect the personal freedoms of their people. Our data has consistently shown a gap, with people more likely to say the U.S. government respects its people’s freedoms than to say the same of the Chinese government.

But this gap is shrinking, driven largely by the fact that people in nearly every country surveyed have become less likely to say the U.S. government respects its people’s personal freedoms since we last asked this question in 2021.

In Sweden, for example, the percentage saying the U.S. respects personal freedoms has declined from 61% in 2021 to 27% today. There were similar drops of 25 percentage points or more in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea and Spain.

In many countries, this pairs with an increasing share who say China respects personal freedoms. For example, 11% of Australians hold this view, up 6 percentage points from 2021.

As a result, few now say that the U.S. and Chinese governments respect the personal freedoms of their people across the 36 countries surveyed this year. This is especially true in Europe and Latin America. In Mexico, for example, around a third (35%) say the Chinese government respects its people’s personal freedoms, while 20% say the same about the U.S. government. For more on how these views have changed in Latin America, see “How do views of the U.S. and China compare in Latin America?”

A few countries stand out for the difference they perceive between the U.S. and Chinese governments:

• 80% of Israelis say the U.S. respects the freedoms of its people, while just 15% say the same of China. Japan shows another sizable difference (61% vs. 6%).
• The gap is fairly large in the other direction in places including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where more say China respects personal freedoms than the U.S.

Views on how Chinese and U.S. foreign policy affect the world

Both Chinese and U.S. foreign policy have focused significantly on middle-income countries in recent years. China, for example, has close economic and security ties with Brazil and Peru, among other countries. And the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy stressed the importance of countering China’s significant exports to Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Given this dynamic, we asked additional questions about perceptions of American and Chinese foreign policy in the middle-income countries we surveyed – located across Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific.

People in 17 middle-income countries raise more concerns about the United States’ foreign policy than China’s. A median of 75% say that the U.S. interferes in the affairs of other countries a great deal or a fair amount, while 45% say the same of China. In nearly every country surveyed, more people see the U.S. as an interferer than China.

Similarly, people in many of these middle-income countries see China as a more reliable partner than the U.S. and are more likely to say China contributes to peace and stability around the world.

In South Africa, for example, 72% say China is a reliable partner to their country, while 46% say the same of the U.S. And South Africans are much more likely to say China (64%) accounts for the interests of countries like their own in making international policy decisions than they are to say the same of the U.S. (42%). Meanwhile, the share of South Africans saying China contributes to peace and stability around the world has increased from 47% in 2023 to 64% in 2026.

In some countries, views of China’s role in the world have not changed significantly over the last several years. But in Indonesia, the shares saying that the U.S. and China contribute to global peace and stability have both decreased since we last asked.

In several Latin American countries – Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru – similar shares describe the U.S. and China as reliable partners. The largest differences in perception of the two countries, in either direction, tend to be in the Asia-Pacific region. In Pakistan, for example, people are much more likely to say China is a reliable partner than the U.S. (84% vs. 36%). And in the Philippines, many more see the U.S. as a reliable partner than China (81% vs. 42%). (Newswire/ Pew Research Center)

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Iran’s Nour News Agency reports that the Iranian Army and the IRGC have launched “large-scale missile and drone attacks” on “enemy bases in the region”.

Citing an Iranian military official, the agency said the operation was launched in response to the US’s continuing attacks on Iran and targeted sites identified following “enemy movements” over the past 48 hours.

Iran claims attack on Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa airbase

The IRGC says it targeted several facilities at the Sheikh Isa airbase in Bahrain in the second phase of its retaliatory operation.

In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces struck helicopter maintenance facilities, a hangar housing a P-8 aircraft and a US military drone command-and-control centre.

The IRGC added that its retaliatory attacks were continuing.

Iran claims attacks on Kuwait airbases

The IRGC says it has “completely destroyed” fuel tanks and Patriot air defence systems at the Ali Al-Salem airbase, as well as a strategic FPS radar system at the Ahmed Al-Jaber airbase.

In a statement, the IRGC said the attacks were carried out by its aerospace forces during the third phase of its “eye-for-an-eye” operation in response to US military action against Iran.

The IRGC said the operation was continuing.

It also warned against further US involvement in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that Iran would not allow continued foreign military interference in the waterway.

Iran claims attacks on Jordan’s Prince Hassan airbase

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it targeted the Prince Hassan airbase in Jordan with missiles and drones, setting fire to several fuel depots and ammunition storage facilities.

In a statement, the IRGC said the US attacks followed an operation by the IRGC Navy to stop two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which it accused of “switching off their tracking systems, travelling illegally and endangering navigation”.

The IRGC said its retaliatory operations are continuing and that the results would be announced in subsequent statements. (Al Jazeera)

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A railway bridge in northern Iran was damaged in a strike early Thursday, Iranian media reported, as authorities assessed the extent of the damage.

Mehr News Agency said the Aq Tekeh Khan Bridge in Golestan province was hit by a projectile. Emergency crews and relevant authorities were dispatched to the scene to assess the damage, with no further details immediately available.

The Neynava Corps, a provincial operational unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces stationed in Golestan, later said the bridge was struck by a US cruise missile.

The IRGC’s Golestan branch said the attack caused no casualties and vowed a “crushing” response. 

The incident came amid a new wave of reported US strikes late Wednesday targeting several locations in southern and southeastern Iran.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) later said American forces had launched additional strikes against Iran aimed at further degrading its ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. (Anadolu Agency)

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The United States Supreme Court has ruled against US President Donald Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship for all individuals born in the US.

The 6-3 ruling represents a major blow to Trump and his efforts to transform US immigration policy. Upon taking office on January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order seeking to bar those born in the US to parents on temporary legal statuses or without documentation from automatically receiving US citizenship.

The nine-panel Supreme Court’s ruling upholds a lower court’s determination that Trump’s order ran counter to the US Constitution, as well as a subsequent Supreme Court decision on the matter.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts traced the US practice of birthright citizenship to English common law, through the ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868 and the Supreme Court’s 1898 ruling in the United States v Wong Kim Ark.

In his 26-page opinion, he said Trump administration lawyers and dissenting Supreme Court justices had offered insufficient evidence in their reinterpretation of longstanding law.

“The trouble is that there is scant evidence for this dramatically revisionist view,” he wrote.

“The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to ‘every free-born person in this land,” he wrote. “We keep that promise today.”

Roberts was joined by fellow conservative Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, as well as all of the liberals on the court, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan.

Trump, meanwhile, called the ruling “too bad for our country” and appealed to Republicans in Congress to pass legislation constricting birthright citizenship. That will likely prove an uphill battle, with public opinion polls regularly suggesting strong public support for the practice and the Supreme Court’s majority opinion suggesting a constitutional amendment would be required.

“Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, Birthright Citizenship,” Trump wrote. “They will have my Complete and Total Support!”

‘Already core to the Nation’s identity’

Lawyers for the Trump administration had argued that the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to those born in the US and “subject to the jurisdiction thereof”, only applies to infants whose parents are US citizens or permanent residents.

They argued that the 14th Amendment had been narrowly written to apply to newly freed slaves, and was never envisioned to include all individuals born in the US.

They further argued that United States v Wong Kim Ark, a Supreme Court ruling that established the citizenship of a man born on US soil to Chinese national parents in the late 1800s, did not affirm the current practice of birthright citizenship, as has been the interpretation for decades.

Their argument largely hinged on the definition of the terms “subject to the jurisdiction of”, “natural allegiance” and “permanently domiciled”.

In his opinion, Roberts noted that Congress has had ample opportunity to define those terms to limit birthright citizenship, notably when drafting the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act.

“If Congress intended to hinge citizenship on each individual’s domicile—a question that ‘is sometimes a matter of great difficulty to decide’ … it is reasonable to expect there would have been at least some discussion of the topic,” he wrote.

In a concurring opinion, Ketanji Brown Jackson took aim at the assertion that the 14th Amendment was meant only to apply to freed slaves, instead arguing its language reflects principles that were already longstanding in US culture and law.

“Such universalist appeals were a conscious choice. Yes, Black Americans had suffered a singular wrong. And yes, they had ‘fought and bled’ for the Union, paying a steep price for their freedom,” she wrote.

“But the delegates did not rest on these laurels. Rather, they drew upon the moral and political force of the universal principles that were already core to the Nation’s identity.” 

In his dissenting opinion, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas argued the majority’s account was “not historically accurate”, saying that the 14th Amendment had been “repurposed for political projects”.

“The Court today takes the extraordinary step of holding facially unconstitutional the President’s Order excluding from citizenship the children of foreign temporary visitors and illegal aliens,” he wrote.

“Because many potential applications of the President’s Order are consistent with the original public meaning of the Citizenship Clause, I respectfully dissent,” he said.

Conservative Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch also authored dissenting opinions. Kavanaugh, despite joining the majority’s opinion, wrote that he did not believe Trump’s executive order violated the US Constitution, but that it ran counter to the Immigration and Nationality Act.

He wrote Congress could amend or enact “new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country”.

“But Congress has not yet done so,” he wrote.

‘Self-perpetuating, multigenerational underclass’

Tuesday’s ruling represents a major blow to Trump in his effort to implement his executive order, which comes amid a broad effort to overhaul nearly all forms of immigration in the US.

The court had previously handed the president several immigration victories in recent weeks, including allowing him to effectively do away with special legal status for residents of some crisis-hit countries, called Temporary Protected Status, and employing a controversial tactic of physically blocking asylum seekers from stepping on US soil, where the government is legally obligated to allow them to apply for protection.

Underscoring the significance of the case, Trump attended oral arguments in early April, making him the first sitting president to do so in an active case before the Supreme Court.

Rights groups hailed the court’s decision. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawyer Cecillia Wang, herself a birthright citizen who argued the challenge at the Supreme Court, said the decision “reaffirms a fundamental American promise — if you are born here, you are a citizen”.

The ACLU and other groups had warned a ruling in favour of Trump would have wide-ranging implications, effectively creating a new stateless class in the US while snarling a bureaucratic system ill-prepared to deal with such a fundamental change.

“Our brave clients and our legal team stand with millions of people around our country who spoke up for one of our most cherished rights,” she said. “The Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship stands strong.”

A Migration Policy Institute-Penn State study released in May of last year said an estimated 255,000 infants a year would be born in the US without citizenship under the order, increasing the undocumented population by 2.7 million by 2045.

It warned that the order “would create a self-perpetuating, multigenerational underclass – with US-born residents inheriting the social disadvantage borne by their parents and even, over time, their grandparents and great-grandparents”. (Al Jazeera)

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Sri Lanka has welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran establishing an immediate ceasefire, hailing it as a significant step toward de-escalation and long-term regional and global stability.

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the agreement, which includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and creating a framework for continued negotiations, reflects the power of diplomacy in resolving disputes peacefully.

“Sri Lanka strongly supports the peaceful resolution of disputes through diplomacy and remains optimistic that this step will foster sustainable peace across the region,” the statement noted.

Sri Lanka also extended its sincere appreciation to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the State of Qatar for their pivotal roles as mediators, and to all partners whose support was instrumental in achieving this diplomatic breakthrough. (Newswire)

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The US Senate has voted to provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with an additional $70 billion (roughly €60 billion) for immigration enforcement.

The bill provides three years of funding for the US Border Patrol and what under President Donald Trump became the largest and most heavily funded federal law enforcement agency in US history, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more commonly known by its acronym: ICE.

The expansion of ICE’s powers and personnel has been a source of friction and public protest throughout Trump’s second term.

What happened in the Senate?

Senators voted 52-47 in favor the bill, with no support from the Democrats. One Republican opposed it.

The funding provided by ‌the bill ​would help pay for Trump’s controversial migrant deportation crackdown over the next three years.

The bill follows a partial shutdown of the DHS earlier this year, when Democrats refused to support new money for immigration enforcement without restrictions on tactics such as raids in sensitive locations and the use of masks by officers.

Republicans rejected those demands, instead choosing to fund ICE and Border Patrol through the fast-track “budget reconciliation” process, which allows them to bypass Democratic opposition if they can keep their own members united.

The vote only took place in the early hours of Friday morning because Thursday’s session ran long with a series of secondary debates and disputes.

Which unrelated issues also featured in the lengthy Senate debate?

Dissatisfaction with the $1.8 billion so-called “anti-weaponization” fund that could compensate Trump’s allies for allgeations the government mistreated them played a larger part in the marathon session.

Senate Republican Leader John Thune said the fund was a “settled issue,” citing Attorney General Todd Blanche’s testimony in Congress saying that the Department of Justice would not move forward with it.

However, given Trump telling reporters on Wednesday, “I love ​it. I think it’s so important,” some Senators were not satisfied that it had been ditched.

Thune tried to argue the matter was resolved.

“I find it very hard to believe that they’re going to submit somebody who sat in front of a committee in ​the House and made definitive statements about this and then somehow all of a sudden turn around and go back on them,” Thune told reporters. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

A rival bill from Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to kill the anti-weaponization fund entirely won support from a trio of Republicans — Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan — and brought the session to a largely procedural halt for several hours.

The debate also featured discussions on proposals to prohibit the use of federal funds and even private donations to build the lavish White House ballroom Trump often champions, with critics saying it is over budget and behind schedule.

With Trump’s approval ratings wobbling amid the war in Iran, and midterm elections nearing in November, when one third of Senators will face elections, several of the president’s policies have prompted criticism from within Republic ranks.

These include but are not limited to the seemingly sidelined anti-weaponization fund, the ballroom and naming political ally Bill Pulte as US intelligence chief, despite his background in business and real estate.

What happens next?

The bill still needs to clear the lower chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives.

Republicans hope this vote can be finalized early next week. The bill would then return to the White House for Trump’s signature. (DW)

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Sri Lanka is among 60 economies targeted by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which has proposed additional tariffs after determining that these countries have failed to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.

Under the proposed measures, Sri Lanka would face a 12.5% additional duty on its exports to the United States, as it has neither imposed nor effectively enforced a prohibition on forced labour imports.

For economies that have imposed partial regimes or committed to prohibitions through reciprocal trade agreements, the USTR has proposed a lower 10% duty. 

All others, including Sri Lanka, fall under the higher 12.5% tariff rate. A special textile mechanism has also been proposed to allow limited apparel and textile imports at reduced tariff rates.

The list of affected economies includes major trading partners such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, and South Africa, alongside Sri Lanka and dozens of others. 

In total, 54 economies were found to have failed to impose prohibitions, while six, including Canada, Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, Ecuador, and the EU, were cited for failing to effectively enforce existing regimes.

United States Trade Rep Jamieson Greer said the failure of trading partners to address forced labour imports “creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an uneven playing field,” adding that the U.S. “will no longer tolerate this disparity.”

Public hearings on the proposed actions are scheduled for July 7, 2026, with written comments due by July 6 and requests to appear at hearings by June 22. 

Full statement : https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/june/ustr-makes-findings-and-proposes-action-60-section-301-investigations-relating-failures-take-action (Newswire)

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Applicants for visas to the United States will now have to affirm that they do not fear persecution in their home countries as the Trump administration seeks to further restrict potential asylum seeks from entering the country.

The new rule, outlined in a diplomatic cable to all embassies and consulates this week, comes amid a sweeping shift in policies that have upended and restricted immigration to the US.

The administration had already increased vetting for student visa applicants, and it has temporarily paused decisions on immigration applications to ensure that they meet newly rolled out security check guidance, according to a source familiar with the situation and an internal memo.

The rule applies for those applying for nonimmigrant visas, which include those for tourists, students and temporary workers. In January, the US suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.

“Consular officers must prevent abuse of the immigration system by visa applicants who misrepresent their purpose of travel, including those who attempt to obtain nonimmigrant visas for the purpose of claiming asylum upon arrival in the United States,” said the cable, which was reviewed by CNN.

The Washington Post first reported on the cable.

The directive from the State Department instructs consular officers to ask nonimmigrant visa applicants two questions: “Have you experienced harm or mistreatment in your country of nationality or last habitual residence?” and “Do you fear harm or mistreatment in returning to your country of nationality or permanent residence?” 

“Visa applicants must respond verbally with a ‘no’ to both questions for the consular officer to continue with visa issuance,” the cable instructed.

A State Department spokesperson said, “Consular officers are the first line of defense for US national security” and noted the department “uses all available tools and resources to determine whether each visa applicant qualifies under US law.”

In order to seek asylum, a person must be physically present in the US and be fleeing political, racial or religious persecution in their home country.

Camille Mackler, an immigration policy consultant, told CNN that the new directive “is going to put people in really bad, terrible positions of having to make choices that ultimately affect their and their family’s safety.”

“I also think this pushes people to unsafe pathways and unsafe routes, because if you need to leave, you leave, and you do whatever you need to do that,” she said. (CNN)

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The U.S. Department of State has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the seizure or recovery of funds linked to money laundering operations run out of the Tai Chang scam centres in Burma. 

The offer, made under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP), comes as part of a coordinated crackdown by the Department of Justice’s Scam Centre Strike Force and other federal agencies against Southeast Asia‑based cyber fraud networks that have cost Americans billions of dollars.

A U.S. government estimate reports that Americans had lost over $7.2 billion in 2025 to Southeast Asia-based scam operations.  

Full US Department of State statement;

Today, the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, in support of the Department of Justice’s Scam Center Strike Force, is announcing a reward offer under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) of up to $10 million for information leading to the seizure or recovery of funds involved in money laundering related to scams operated out of the Tai Chang scam centers in Burma.

According to the Department of the Treasury, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) based in Southeast Asia are increasingly targeting Americans through large-scale cyber scam operations.  A U.S. government estimate reported that Americans had lost over $7.2 billion in 2025 to Southeast Asia-based scam operations.  

Tai Chang is a series of compounds conducting these online fraud schemes, particularly cryptocurrency investment fraud, and is located in Burma’s Karen State:

1. Tai Chang 1.0, aka Kyuakhat Casino or Ko Sai – GPS Coordinates 16.467242N, 98.648357E and 16.472469N, 98.645868E
2. Tai Chang 2.0, aka Taih or Qingsong – GPS Coordinates 16.425472, 98.635806
3. Tai Chang 3.0 – GPS Coordinates 16.491389, 98.589722

Historically, many FBI investigations have included tracing scam proceeds and attempting to recover victim funds.  With criminals increasingly holding illicit gains in cryptocurrency, the seizure of digital assets has become a powerful tool for disrupting criminal operations. This reward offer encourages the public to report information that will lead to further financial disruptions.

Today’s reward offer complements the Department of Justice’s announcement of charges against two Chinese nationals running a scam compound in Burma and attempting to start a compound in Cambodia, the seizure of a Telegram messaging app channel used to recruit human trafficking victims to a scam compound in Cambodia, and the seizure of 503 fraudulent web domains used to perpetrate cryptocurrency investment fraud, and Department of the Treasury’s announcement of sanctions targeting against Kok An, a Cambodian senator who controls scam compounds throughout the country, as well as 28 individuals and entities in his network.

Today’s reward offer is authorized by the Secretary of State under the TOCRP, which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally.  If you have information, please contact the FBI by email at TaiChangTIPS@fbi.gov if you are located outside of the United States, you may also contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  If you are in the United States, you may also contact the local FBI office in your city.

ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.  Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka positioned itself as a trusted and reliable investment partner during a high‑level virtual roundtable chaired by Presidential Special Envoy for Foreign Investment and Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof.

Representatives from major U.S. corporations, including SpaceX, Apple, Coca‑Cola, Mastercard, Visa, Boeing, Chevron, Corteva, Meta, Google, and Airbnb, joined the discussions. 

In a statement on ‘X’, Hanif Yusoof said that, during the discussion, he highlighted Sri Lanka’s potential not only as a standalone market but also as a strategic platform to serve the wider South Asian region.

He further stressed his commitment to advancing President Anura Dissanayake’s investment agenda, aiming to attract global business leaders and secure long‑term partnerships. 

The session was facilitated by U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (Newswire)

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Oil prices have risen sharply following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and conflicting messages about the prospect of renewed negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Brent crude futures, the primary benchmark for global prices, jumped more than 7 percent in Asia on Monday as the outlook for peace between Washington and Tehran darkened.

Prices eased somewhat later in the morning, with the benchmark at $94.69 a barrel as of 02:05 GMT, up from just under $90.40 on Friday.

The latest price surge came after US President Donald Trump said US forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that had attempted to evade the US blockade of Iran’s ports.

Trump’s announcement followed reports by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre over the weekend that two vessels came under attack while transiting the strait.

Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker, while an “unknown projectile” struck a container ship, according to the UKMTO.

After declaring the strait “completely open” on Friday, Tehran reversed course less than 24 hours later, citing the ongoing US blockade.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump said that a US delegation would travel to Pakistan on Monday to hold a second round of ceasefire talks with Iranian officials.

Iranian state news outlet IRNA later reported that Tehran would not participate in the talks, citing the US blockade and Washington’s “excessive demands” and “unrealistic expectations”.

A two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran is set to expire on Wednesday if the sides cannot agree on an extension.

An initial round of talks held in Islamabad earlier this month broke down without any agreement between the sides.

Iran’s effective closure of the strait, which usually carries about one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies, has driven a surge in fuel prices worldwide, forcing governments to tap emergency supplies and roll out energy-saving measures.

Nineteen vessels crossed the strait on Saturday, up from 10 the previous day, but far below the historical average of 138 daily transits, according to the UKMTO.

Asia’s main stock markets opened higher on Monday despite the dimming prospects of de-escalation.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose more than 1 percent in morning trading, while South Korea’s KOSPI gained about 1.3 percent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose about 0.5 percent, while the SSE Composite Index in Shanghai gained more than 0.4 percent. (Al Jazeera)

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The Trump administration has renewed a waiver allowing nations to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea ‌for about a month.

The US Treasury Department’s waiver lets countries purchase Russian oil and ‌petroleum products loaded on vessels through May 16.

It replaces a 30-day waiver that expired on April 11 and excludes transactions involving Iran, Cuba and North Korea.

The move is part of the administration’s effort to control global energy prices that have shot higher during the US-Israeli war on Iran.

It came after nations in Asia, suffering from the global energy shock, pressed Washington to allow alternative supplies to reach markets.

“As negotiations (with Iran) accelerate, Treasury wants to ensure oil is available to those who need it,” ‌a Treasury Department spokesperson ‌said.

Just two days earlier, Treasury ⁠Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would not be renewing the waiver for Russian oil and another for Iranian oil, ​which is set to expire on Sunday.

Global oil prices tumbled nine per cent on Friday to about $US90 a barrel after Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz, an oil choke point in the Gulf.

But the war has already created the worst global energy supply disruption in history, the International Energy Agency has said.

The war, which is entering its eighth week, has damaged more than 80 oil and gas facilities in the Middle East, and Tehran has warned it could close the strait again if the recent US navy blockade of Iranian ⁠ports continues.

US President Donald Trump ​has also faced pressure from partner countries on the oil price. A US source said partner countries on the sidelines of Group of 20, World Bank and International Monetary ​Fund meetings in Washington ‌this week had requested the US extend the waiver.

US lawmakers from both political parties had slammed the administration over the sanctions waivers, ​saying ​they stood to help the economy of Iran while it was at ​war with the US and of Russia as it was at war with Ukraine.

The ‌waivers could impede the West’s efforts to deprive Russia of revenue for its war in Ukraine and put Washington at odds with its allies.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said now is not the time to relax sanctions against Russia.

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev said US-Russian economic and energy co-operation will continue, in a social media post about the renewal of the waiver.

He had said the first waiver on Russian oil would free 100 million barrels of crude, equal to almost a day’s worth of global output. (Australian Associated Press)

BREAKING: The US has authorized transactions involving Russian oil loaded onto tankers before April 17, with the authorization remaining in force until May 16.

US-Russian economic and energy cooperation will continue. pic.twitter.com/NBK3lOuZB5

— Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) April 18, 2026

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US Senate Republicans voted down a resolution on Wednesday pushed by Democrats to prohibit President Donald Trump from taking further military action in Iran.

The vote was 47-52, largely along party lines.

Once again, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the only Republican to vote for the measure, and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was the only Democrat or independent to vote against it. (Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., missed the vote.)

It was the latest instance of Republicans rejecting attempts to end the war or rein in Trump’s authority to act without congressional approval. While Trump has said for weeks he wants the war to wrap up soon, there is no clear end in sight.

The measure, offered by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., says: “Congress hereby directs the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.”

Despite the vote, some Republicans have indicated they will be less deferential to Trump once the war hits 60 days, which will come at the end of April. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires presidents to get congressional approval for military action that goes beyond 60 days.

“We’ve got to start answering questions,” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said. “The 60-day target is what I’m looking at.”

Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, who is usually a reliable vote for Trump’s agenda, wrote in his local paper, the Deseret News: “I will not support ongoing military action beyond a 60-day window without congressional approval. I take this position for two reasons — one is historical, and one is constitutional.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has also expressed misgivings about the Iran war and floated a resolution that would give Trump limited authorization to use military force.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed to keep forcing votes on ending the Iran war, which are privileged and don’t require the consent of Republican leaders to get to the floor.

“We will bring these resolutions to the floor every week,” Schumer told reporters Tuesday. “Our troops deserve a mission, not a mess. They deserve a strategy, not chaos. Now, Republicans have a choice. Stand with our troops or keep them in harm’s way without a plan, stand up as a senator or rubber-stamp Trump’s disastrous and failed war policies.”

A recent CBS News poll found that 40% of Americans approve of the U.S. taking military action in Iran, while 60% disapprove. The survey found widespread disapproval and distrust of Trump’s handling of the situation.

Gas prices have risen since the war began, and the rising costs of diesel and fertilizer have driven economic concerns in the U.S. That has fueled fears of political fallout among Republicans, which could impact their votes on future war powers measures.

“I hope we’re getting closer to having this be over. I think we need an exit strategy that will bring down energy prices in this country, quickly. They’re very high. Very, very high,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said. “I heard about it constantly while I was at home. Gas prices in Missouri are a little bit cheaper than they are here, but they’re very expensive. And an exit strategy that will be good for our national security and preserve our security.”

Hawley said the 60-day window gives the president some latitude to take military action without Congress, adding: “We’re a few weeks off from that, but not too far.”

But other Republicans, like Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., say Trump can act without their approval for as long as he sees fit.

Johnson also signaled openness to a U.S. military ground presence, while saying it doesn’t need to be “massive.”

“If it requires some special ops to help the Iranian people take over their government, I wouldn’t be opposed to that,” he said. “Unconditional surrender, this regime has to be ended.” (NBC News)

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The US warned Tuesday it will unleash full “Economic Fury” on Iran, ending a reprieve on sanctions on Tehran oil at sea and threatening to move against foreign banks that back Iran’s terror activities.

After the first day of the US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, the US Treasury Department signaled that it will not renew a 30-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea set to expire this week.

“Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury, maintaining maximum pressure on Iran,” the agency said in a statement while referencing Operation Epic Fury, the current US military campaign in the Middle East.

“The short-term authorization permitting the sale of Iranian oil already stranded at sea is set to expire in a few days and will not be renewed,” the department said.

The treasury had allowed about 140 million barrels of Iranian oil at sea to continue their shipments March 20 to alleviate soaring fuel prices caused by the war.

The waiver is set to expire April 19. The US said it also will not renew the waiver on Russian oil at sea, which expired Saturday, Trump administration sources told Reuters.

Both waivers had received backlash from US lawmakers, who argued they provided an economic lifeline to the people in Iran and Russia at a time of war in both countries.

Along with ending the waivers, the Treasury Department also added pressure to countries and municipalities that host banks that allegedly help fund Iran.

“Financial institutions should be on notice that the department is leveraging the full range of available tools and authorities and is prepared to deploy secondary sanctions against foreign financial institutions that continue to support Iran’s activities,” it said.

The treasury specifically sent out letters detailing the warning to China, Hong ⁠Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Oman after identifying banks in the nations linked to Iran.

“My hope is for your swift action to identify and ​stop any illicit activity ⁠linked to Iran to avoid further action from Treasury,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the letter.

The department had previously informed banks last year that Iran had processed at least $9 billion through US correspondent accounts in 2024 with front companies in Hong Kong, the UAE and other countries. (New York Post)

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday China had been an unreliable global partner during the Middle East war by hoarding oil supplies and limiting exports of some goods, mirroring its actions with medical goods during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bessent told reporters he had spoken with Chinese officials about the issue.

He declined to answer a question about whether the dispute would derail US President Donald Trump’s plan to visit Beijing in mid-May, but said Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a very good working relationship.

“I think the message for the visit is stability. We’ve had great stability in the relationship since last summer; that emanates from the top down,” he said.

“I think that communication is the key.”

But Bessent took China to task for its actions during the US-Israeli war with Iran, which has sent oil prices up by as much as 50 per cent and triggered supply chain disruptions.

“China has been an unreliable global partner three times in the past five years; once during Covid-19, when they hoarded healthcare products, second on rare earth,” Bessent said, referring to Beijing’s threat last year to curb rare earth exports.

Now it was stockpiling more oil instead of helping to ease the global demand shortage caused by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20 per cent of the world’s oil, he said.

China already had a strategic petroleum reserve that was roughly the same size as that of the entire reserve held by the 32-member International Energy Agency, but it was continuing to purchase oil.

“They continued buying, and they’ve been hoarding, and they have cut off exports of many products,” Bessent said.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said the shortages facing the global energy market were rooted in “the tense situation in the Middle East” and called for an immediate end to military operations there.

“The pressing task is to put an end to military operations at once and prevent the turmoil in the Middle East from further impacting the global economy,” Liu said, adding that China had been working actively to end the conflict and would “continue playing a constructive role.”

The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency on Monday urged countries to avoid hoarding energy supplies and imposing export controls that could worsen what they called the biggest shock ever to the global energy market. They did not identify specific countries.

The US military on Monday began a blockade of ships leaving Iran’s ports and Teheran threatened to retaliate against its Gulf neighbours’ ports, after weekend talks in Islamabad on ending the war broke down.

Oil prices jumped back over US$100 (RM395) per barrel, with no sign of a swift reopening of the strait.

Bessent told reporters earlier that the blockade would ensure that no Chinese ships or others would be allowed to pass the strait.

“So they’re not going to be able to get their oil. They can get oil. Not Iranian oil,” Bessent said, adding that China had been buying more than 90 per cent of Iranian oil, which constituted about eight per cent of its annual purchases. (New Straits Times)

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The United States and Iran concluded 21 hours of direct talks in Pakistan on Sunday without reaching a deal to end the war, casting uncertainty over a fragile two-week ceasefire.

Both sides blamed the other for the breakdown of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan on Sunday after a marathon session failed to deliver a deal to end the war sparked six weeks ago by US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

US officials said the negotiations fell apart because Iran would not commit to abandoning its nuclear program. Iranian leaders, however, blamed Washington for the breakdown, without detailing the specific disputes.

“We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vice President JD Vance said after the discussions.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker and head of its delegation, said the responsibility now lies with Washington. “It is time for the United States to decide whether it can gain our trust,” he stated.

No deal on Hormuz or Iran’s nuclear program

The Islamabad meeting marked the first face-to-face talks between the two countries in more than a decade and the highest-level engagement since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. The discussions followed a ceasefire agreed to earlier in the week.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that what it called “excessive” US demands had blocked progress. Other Iranian outlets said there was consensus on several issues, but deep divisions remained over Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Following the collapse of talks, US President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy would blockade the strait.

A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the atmosphere as marked by mistrust, adding that reaching an agreement in a single session was never realistic.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged both sides to preserve the ceasefire agreed to on Tuesday, calling it “imperative” for continued efforts find peace.

“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We will see if the Iranians accept it,” Vance said, before leaving for a nearby airport and flying out of Pakistan.

Several points unresolved

US–Iran talks remain stalled over a variety of issues, and analysts believe the sticking points are difficult to resolve. “The conflict was structural, not tactical. The US sought limits on Iran’s nuclear program, regional de-escalation, and secure navigation, framing these as security needs,” Fatemeh Aman, Iran-Pakistan expert and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told DW. “Iran demanded sanctions relief, recognition, and protection, negotiating for status rather than just limits. Their core objectives did not align.”

“The two sides came together but had a different understanding of how they would like to proceed whether on the nuclear aspect or the Strait,” said Farwa Aamer, director of South Asia initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. “The marathon talks made way for a dialogue but reaching a common understanding may need longer term process.”

According to Aman, Washington wanted concessions first, while Tehran wanted relief first. With little trust and competing leverage, neither side moved. “The talks failed because their end goals, not just tactics, were fundamentally incompatible,” asserted Aman.

Can the ceasefire hold?

And yet, analysts are cautiously optimistic that the ceasefire will hold and that strikes will not resume, with potential backchannel diplomacy helping to sustain the truce.

“The ceasefire is holding, but it is fragile,” said Aman. “It is not based on a political agreement. It reflects a temporary pause shaped by caution and short-term calculations. Both sides are managing the situation rather than resolving it.”

Talks in Islamabad began Saturday, days after a fragile ceasefire was declared, as the six-week war, having killed thousands and unsettled global markets continued. Aamer is also relatively optimistic: “It is important that the truce holds, mediation channels remain intact, and both sides continue the diplomatic process,” she said.

Vance did not clarify in Islamabad what would happen after the two-week ceasefire expired, or whether the ceasefire would continue.

“The risk is gradual erosion,” said Aman. “Local incidents, miscalculations, or actions by allied groups could test the limits of restraint. Without a follow up diplomatic process, the ceasefire remains exposed. It may hold in the short term, but it lacks long-term stability.”

More talks

Analysts believe immediate US–Iran talks are now unlikely, given heightened tensions and recent setbacks. However, diplomacy is not over, as both sides still have strong incentives to resume negotiations.

“More talks are likely, but not immediately,” said Aman. “Neither side wants to appear as conceding after a failed round. There will likely be a pause as both reassess their position and leverage. If talks resume, they are unlikely to begin with the most difficult issues. They will likely start with narrower, technical steps that reduce risk without requiring major concessions.”

For Aamer, quiet diplomacy and mediation may remain at play to enable future rounds. “But it would be contingent on how the United States and Iran determine their immediate next steps,” she concluded. (DW)

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The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has announced new requirements for non-immigrant visa applicants, effective immediately.

According to the Embassy, applicants seeking A‑3, C‑3 (if a domestic worker), G‑5, H‑3 and their H‑4 dependents, K‑1, K‑2, K‑3, Q, R‑1, R‑2, S, T, and U visas must adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.”

The Embassy further noted that H‑1B applicants and their dependents, as well as F, M, and J visa applicants, remain subject to this review.

The U.S. Embassy explains that the measure is intended to facilitate vetting necessary to establish applicants’ identity and admissibility to the United States. (Newswire)

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The Trump administration has issued a 30-day sanctions waiver for the purchase of Iranian oil at sea to ease energy supply pressures since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

It is the third time the US has temporarily waived sanctions in about two weeks.

The US had previously eased sanctions on Russian oil, and on Friday issued a general license allowing the sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of 20 March to 19 April, according to the license posted to the US Treasury website.

“By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran,” Bessent said in a statement on X.

“In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury,” Bessent said.

Bessent had floated lifting the sanctions in a Fox Business interview on Thursday, prompting analysts to point out the policy could actually benefit Iran’s war effort.

“To put it mildly, this is bananas,” Blackstone Compliance Services’ David Tannenbaum told the BBC.

“Essentially, we’re allowing Iran to sell oil, which could then be used to fund the war effort.”

Bessent pushed back on that analysis in his Friday statement.

“This temporary, short-term authorization is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production,” he wrote.

“Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system.” (The Guardian)

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