US President Donald Trump has called on the European Union to hit China and India with tariffs of up to 100% as part of his efforts to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, a source familiar with the discussions has told the BBC. …
Trump lobbies EU for 100% tariffs on China and IndiaNamibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Place
Ukraine
Also known as: Ukrainian
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- September 2025
European leaders will visit the United States on Monday or Tuesday to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine, Donald Trump has said. …
European leaders to visit US to discuss war in Ukraine, Trump says… Elsewhere in the interview, Trump said he was “very disappointed” in Putin, after they failed to reach a peace deal for Ukraine during their meeting in Alaska last month. …
Trump accuses Xi of conspiring against US with Putin and Kim… Xi is now hosting Putin in Beijing while a deal with the Russian leader to end the war in Ukraine continues to elude Trump. …
Russia's Putin hails ‘unprecedented' ties with China as talks begin- August 2025
The top diplomat of the European Union (EU) has warned against pushing Ukraine to give up territories to Russia as part of a future peace deal. …
Proposed Ukraine land concessions are Putin's trap, EU's top diplomat tells BBCThe Kremlin has played down talk of an imminent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, as Donald Trump renewed his call for the two leaders to meet to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. …
Kremlin plays down Zelensky talks as Trump warns Putin may not want to make dealUnlike the shockingly ill-tempered previous meeting in February, US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky seemed determined not to look confrontational – despite their remaining differences. …
Zelensky leaves White House unscathed as he buys more timeIt is quite possible that Monday’s meeting in the White House could prove even more crucial to the future of Ukraine – and for all of Europe’s security – than last Friday’s US-Russia summit in Alaska. …
Washington talks could prove more vital for Ukraine's future than Trump-Putin summit“Putin is supposed to be in jail, and he just comes to Alaska like that.” Hanna Correa is amongst a sea of Alaskans waving Ukrainian flags on road leading into the capital city, Anchorage. …
What do Alaskans make of the geopolitical circus arriving in their city?… In a post on Truth Social, the US president warned he would raise levies, saying India “don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine”. …
India calls Trump's tariff threat over Russian oil ‘unjustified'
Mining & Energy
Oil price spike raises concerns about inflation waves
The News
Following the Israel–US joint attack on Iran in February, oil prices rose above US$100 per barrel, with Namibia's government raising fuel prices in April by N$2.50 for petrol and N$4 for diesel. While temporary levy cuts and National Energy Fund subsidies have cushioned consumer impact—absorbing approximately N$500 million in April alone—further food and logistics inflation is expected as second-wave effects reach Namibia.
Why it matters
Oil price pressures and N$500 million in fuel subsidies underscore inflation risks facing ordinary Namibian consumers and household budgets.
9 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 9 May
Oil price spike raises concerns about inflation waves
Following the Israel–US joint attack on Iran in February, oil prices rose above US$100 per barrel, with Namibia's government raising fuel prices in April by N$2.50 for petrol and N$4 for diesel. While temporary levy cuts and National Energy Fund subsidies have cushioned consumer impact—absorbing approximately N$500 million in April alone—further food and logistics inflation is expected as second-wave effects reach Namibia.
9 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 17 April
Namibia's corruption rating falls to worst-ever score
Namibia scored 46/100 in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, dropping six places to 65th globally and recording its worst-ever performance. A criminal intelligence analyst outlines international anti-corruption policy options—including asset disclosure, whistleblower protection, extractive industry transparency, and fiscal openness—that Namibia could adopt to strengthen enforcement and accountability.
17 April 2026 · New Era →
Sunday 5 April
Middle East conflict pushes up costs for British fish and chips
Rising diesel and energy prices triggered by the Middle East war are hitting British fishermen and fish and chip shop owners, forcing them to absorb higher costs or risk losing customers already facing economic pressures. Industry leaders cite soaring fuel, fish, and fertiliser prices alongside supply disruptions from Ukraine and stricter fishing rules as threats to the sector.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 2 April
NATO's cohesion weakens as US shifts priorities to China
According to a Higher School of Economics analysis, NATO is experiencing structural fractures as the US under Trump repositions from European leadership to a demanding hegemon role focused on China containment, while questioning allies' territorial integrity and reducing Ukraine support. European members now doubt the credibility of US nuclear guarantees and seek alternatives, though a unified European defence remains politically unrealistic, suggesting the alliance will persist but with reduced cohesion and interest-driven rather than collective cooperation.
2 April 2026 · New Era →
Friday 27 March
Zimbabwe reports 15 nationals killed recruiting to fight Russia
Zimbabwe's government has confirmed that 15 of its citizens were killed after being recruited through deceptive schemes on social media to fight for Russia in Ukraine, with more than 60 still trapped on the frontlines. The government is negotiating with Russian authorities for body repatriation and safe return of survivors, warning citizens about fraudulent overseas job offers that exploit vulnerable job-seekers across Africa.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 25 March
OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky dies after cancer battle
Leonid Radvinsky, the Ukrainian-American billionaire who bought OnlyFans in 2018 and served as its majority shareholder, has died aged 43 after a long battle with cancer. The company, which reported US$1.41 billion in revenues in 2024 and 377.5 million global users, was reportedly in talks for a sale valuing it at around US$5.5 billion.
25 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 23 March
Kenya grants amnesty to nationals illegally fighting for Russia
Kenya's foreign minister announced that Kenyans conscripted illegally to fight for Russia in Ukraine will receive amnesty upon return home. The government estimates 252 Kenyans have been unlawfully recruited, with 44 repatriated so far, 11 killed or missing, and 160 still actively fighting; Russia has agreed to place Kenya on a "stop list" to prevent further recruitment.
23 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 17 March
Russia agrees to stop recruiting Kenyans for Ukraine war
Kenya's foreign minister says Russia has agreed to stop deploying Kenyan nationals to fight in Ukraine after talks in Moscow, and that Kenyans will no longer be eligible for enlistment through Russia's defence ministry. Kenya is also seeking the repatriation of Kenyans who wish to return home, with 27 having been repatriated so far, and has closed over 600 recruitment agencies suspected of duping citizens with false job promises.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 12 March
German defence firm Rheinmetall forecasts 45% sales surge
German defence manufacturer Rheinmetall has forecast a 45% jump in 2026 sales to a maximum of 14.5 billion euros, driven by European countries increasing military spending in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and uncertainty over US security commitments. The firm's core profit jumped by a third to a record 1.8 billion euros in 2025, and it is rapidly expanding production capacity across Europe.
12 March 2026 · New Era →
Oil prices surge despite major reserve release due to Middle East tensions
Brent crude rose over 9% to top $100 per barrel despite the International Energy Agency releasing a record 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves, as Iran's threats and attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz drive supply concerns. The price spike has pushed fuel costs globally, with Asian countries particularly affected and some implementing energy conservation measures.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
IEA members release record 400 million oil barrels
The 32 member countries of the International Energy Agency have agreed to release a record 400 million barrels from emergency reserves to address global oil supply shortages and soaring prices caused by conflict disrupting exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts say the move offers only short-term relief, amounting to roughly three or four days of global oil supply.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 11 March
Kenya's weight-loss clinic boom driven by shifting beauty standards
In Kenya, where wealth was once associated with being overweight, demand for weight-loss surgeries and drugs like Ozempic has surged as beauty ideals shift toward slimness and celebrity culture normalizes medical intervention. Social media pressure, health concerns including diabetes and infertility, and changing fashion preferences are driving the trend, though critics question the procedures as pursuing unrealistic standards.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 10 March
Iran strikes Gulf energy sites as oil prices climb sharply
Iran launched fresh attacks on energy installations across the Gulf, hitting Bahrain's Al Ma'ameer refinery complex and prompting major producers in Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait to declare force majeure, warning of possible export disruptions. Oil prices surged to their highest levels since 2022 as regional conflict sparked market volatility and US embassy staff evacuations from Saudi Arabia.
10 March 2026 · New Era →
FIFA and IOC accused of double standards on war bans
Four years after expelling Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee have taken a muted stance toward the recent US-led attack on Iran, prompting experts to accuse them of applying inconsistent standards and prioritizing powerful nations over principle.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Zelenskyy: 11 countries seek Ukraine aid against Iranian drones
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 11 countries—including neighbours of Iran, European states, and the United States—have requested Kyiv's help countering Iranian drones, citing Ukraine's experience defending against similar Russian attacks.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 6 March
Critical minerals race requires transparency to prevent resource curse
As global demand for minerals needed for clean energy and technology surges, countries are negotiating resource deals in secret, risking the same corruption and inequality that plagued past resource booms. The authors argue that transparency, public participation, and established accountability mechanisms like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative are essential to ensure mineral wealth benefits entire societies rather than enriching elites.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 3 March
Opinion: Britain undermining Ukraine peace efforts
According to an analysis by a Moscow State Institute lecturer, Britain is pursuing a strategy of prolonged conflict in Ukraine to maintain its role in Western European security, contradicting US efforts toward de-escalation and standing apart from Washington's push for burden-sharing among allies.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Sunday 1 March
Global wars drive oil prices affecting Namibia's economy
Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused Namibian fuel prices to rise 83% between April 2021 and February 2022, driving inflation from 3.1% to 4.8% and forcing interest rate increases that burden households and businesses. Current unrest in Iran and tensions in the Middle East pose similar risks to Namibia's oil-dependent economy, with prolonged price spikes potentially damaging growth.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 25 February
European ambassadors in Namibia call for end to Russia-Ukraine war
Six European ambassadors accredited to Namibia have issued a joint opinion piece expressing solidarity with Ukraine and urging that Russia cease its war of aggression in 2026. The statement details the humanitarian toll, including the forced transfer of approximately 20,000 Ukrainian children by Russia, widespread civilian casualties, and disruptions to global food security and energy exports.
25 February 2026 · Informanté →
Tuesday 24 February
UN chief warns global powers eroding rule of law
UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the UN Human Rights Council that human rights are under "full-scale attack" as powerful nations prioritize force over international law, citing Russia's war in Ukraine and Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as examples. He stressed that this assault is "happening in plain sight" and often led by those with the greatest power.
24 February 2026 · New Era →
Russian soldiers report witnessing executions, torture on Ukraine front
Four Russian soldiers have told the BBC they witnessed commanders executing fellow troops for refusing orders, subjecting resisters to torture and starvation, and conducting waves of mass assaults they describe as suicide missions with devastating casualties.
24 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 23 February
Zelensky rejects ceasefire demands, warns Putin started World War Three
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has told the BBC that Vladimir Putin has already started World War Three and must be stopped through intense military and economic pressure, rejecting Russian demands for territorial concessions as abandonment of Ukrainian people and positions. Zelensky argues that a ceasefire allowing Putin to recover would only delay further conflict, and insists that Ukraine's victory depends on restoring its independence and borders, though he acknowledges this requires time, weapons support from Western partners, and security guarantees.
23 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 20 February
Four South Africans return from Ukraine after Russian mercenary recruitment
Four South African men lured into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine returned home Wednesday following talks between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Vladimir Putin. The foreign ministry said the men had worked for private security companies in Russia and were released after their contracts were cancelled, with authorities working to secure the return of remaining men from a larger group of 17.
20 February 2026 · New Era →
Wednesday 18 February
Russia and Ukraine hold US-brokered peace talks in Geneva
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Geneva for fresh US-brokered talks aimed at ending the four-year war, with Ukraine accusing Russia of undermining peace efforts by launching attacks hours before negotiations began. The talks follow previous rounds held in Abu Dhabi this year and come as US President Donald Trump positions himself as a peacemaker in the conflict.
18 February 2026 · New Era →
Tuesday 17 February
President calls for African sovereignty, climate action at AU summit
At Ethiopia's 39th African Union Summit, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah advocated for Africa to remain a sovereign partner rather than a battleground for competing global interests, and called for continental investment in water infrastructure and climate solutions. She reported that Namibia's youth unemployment programme has disbursed N$62.3 million to 140 projects creating about 722 jobs, though analysts cautioned that strong speeches must be accompanied by measurable policy implementation results.
17 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 11 February
Kenya seeks agreement with Russia over recruitment of its nationals
Kenya's Foreign Minister has called the recruitment of Kenyan citizens to fight in the Ukraine war "unacceptable and clandestine," and says Nairobi will urge Russia to sign a deal banning conscription of Kenyan soldiers. The Kenyan government estimates around 200 of its nationals have been recruited to fight for Russia, with 27 so far repatriated and authorities struggling to retrieve the remains of those killed.
11 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 5 February
China's Xi holds rare back-to-back calls with Putin, Trump
Chinese leader Xi Jinping held consecutive calls with Russia's Putin and US president Trump this week, a rare move analysts say demonstrates China positioning itself as equidistant between the two powers while securing trade commitments. The timing is seen as significant for projecting stability and Xi's global standing, particularly as China faces domestic political pressures.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 4 February
US-India trade deal removes tariffs, pledges energy purchases
US President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with India that reduces tariffs to 18% from 25%, removes a 25% toll on Russian oil purchases, and commits to over US$500 billion in purchases of US energy, technology, agricultural, and other goods. Indian exporters welcomed the deal as relief from months of uncertainty, though analysts urged caution citing lack of clarity on implementation details.
4 February 2026 · New Era →
Monday 26 January
Alcaraz, Djokovic advance to Australian Open quarter-finals
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tommy Paul to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals in straight sets, while Novak Djokovic advanced without playing after opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew injured. Aryna Sabalenka and rising 18-year-old Iva Jovic also secured quarter-final spots.
26 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 24 January
Ukraine and Russia hold second day of Trump plan peace talks
Russian, Ukrainian, and US negotiators met in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to discuss a Trump administration proposal to end the war. Both sides remain deadlocked over control of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, with Russia demanding full Ukrainian withdrawal and Kyiv rejecting such terms.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →