Author: chicagoinquirer

by Aamer Madhan BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he’s levying tariffs of 30% against the European Union and Mexico starting Aug. 1, a move that could cause massive upheaval between the United States and two of its biggest trade partners. Trump detailed the planned tariffs in letters posted to his social media account. They are part of an announcement blitz by Trump of new tariffs aimed at allies and foes alike, a bedrock of his 2024 campaign that he said would set the foundation for reviving a U.S. economy that he claims has been ripped…

by Maria Cheng LONDON  — Years of American-led investment into AIDS programs has reduced the number of people killed by the disease to the lowest levels seen in more than three decades and provided life-saving medicines for some of the world’s most vulnerable. But in the last six months, the sudden withdrawal of U.S. money has caused a “systemic shock,” U.N. officials warned, adding that if the funding isn’t replaced, it could lead to more than 4 million AIDS-related deaths and 6 million more HIV infections by 2029. A new UNAIDS report released Thursday said the funding losses have “already…

by Monika Proncyuk and Darlene Superville WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump promised West African leaders a pivot from aid to trade during a White House meeting Wednesday as the region reels from the impact of sweeping U.S. aid cuts. Trump said he sees “great economic potential in Africa” as the leaders of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau boasted of their countries’ natural resources and heaped praise on the U.S. president, including their thanks for his help in settling a long-running conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trump described the nations represented at the meeting as…

by Christine Fernando CHICAGO  — A son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin “El Chapo” is expected to plead guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges at a Wednesday hearing. He would be the first of El Chapo’s sons facing similar charges in the U.S. to enter a plea deal. Prosecutors allege Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, ran a faction of the Sinaloa cartel. They became known locally as the “Chapitos,” or little Chapos, and federal authorities in 2023 described the operation as a massive effort to send “staggering” quantities of fentanyl into the U.S. Ovidio Guzman Lopez…

by Francis Kokutse and Ope Adebayo ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Ghana’s president launched a special task force on Tuesday to combat rampant illegal gold mining and smuggling that has long plagued the West African nation. The chronic challenge of illegal gold mining — known locally as “galamsey” — was a major issue during Ghana’s presidential election campaign last year and a source of concern for voters, triggering protests and criticism against the outgoing government. Ghana’s President John Mahama inaugurated the GOLDBOD Task Force, saying its creation “signals our readiness to act decisively.” The task force — comprised of officers from…

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudanese authorities confirmed on Tuesday that eight men deported from the United States were now in the custody of the government of the African country. Apuk Ayuel, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, told reporters that the eight arrived at Juba International Airport on Saturday following “standard deportation procedures undertaken” by the U.S. government. The men are “under the care of the relevant authorities who are screening them and ensuring their safety and well-being,” she said, without specifying where they are held. U.S. authorities said on Friday that the eight men deported in May…

by Gerald Imray CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A ruling expected this week by the highest chamber of the European Court of Human Rights could reignite champion runner Caster Semenya’s yearslong legal battle against sports authorities over sex eligibility rules that banned her and other women from top events including the Olympics and world championships. If a panel of judges upholds a 2023 decision by the same court in Semenya’s favor, it would put renewed scrutiny on track and field’s rules requiring some female athletes to suppress their natural testosterone levels in order to compete — and open a…

by Brian Mahoney NEW YORK — The New York Knicks liked Mike Brown’s experience with championship teams, after he worked for four of them. That sounds good to a franchise that’s been stuck on two titles for more than 50 years but believes its time to win another is now. The Knicks hired Brown on Monday, turning to the two-time NBA Coach of the Year after firing Tom Thibodeau. The Knicks offered the job to Brown last week and announced Monday that he would be taking over the team that reached the Eastern Conference finals last season for the first…

by Emeka Obasi It was uncanny, yes, Peter Rufai never lost a semifinals game all three times he featured in the African Nations Cup, from Cote d’Ivoire 1984 to Maroc 1988 and up to Tunisia 1994. All three matches ended in favour of the Eagles through penalty shoot out. Nigeria defeated Egypt 8-7, in 1984, stopped Algeria 9-8 in 1988 and sent Cote d’Ivoire packing in 1994. Unfortunately, after victory over the Pharaohs, Rufai missed the grand finale against the Indomitable Lions. His place was taken by Patrick Okala. In all three penalty deciders, Rashidi Yekini was involved and did…

by Joseph Omoremi CHICAGO, IL – A delinquent tax sale of $1.577,181.75  owned by the All Nations Assembly Church, Inc., a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is imminent after the expiration of the redemption period  of December 31, 2018. “Unfortunately, because the 2018 tax year is now closed and beyond the Assessor’s Office’s reach to correct, any correction to the outstanding delinquency would have to be challenged by filing a proper complaint in the Circuit Court,” said Christina T. Lynch Director of Legal at the  Cook County Assessor’s Office. Built on a 22-acres of land, the…