A 14-year-old Palestinian-American boy, Omar Mohammed Saada Rabea, was killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank, sparking condemnation from Palestinian officials who described it as an extrajudicial killing. The Israeli military claimed the boy was among three individuals throwing stones at a highway, endangering civilians, and that soldiers fired upon them. Two other 14-year-old boys, one also a US citizen, were injured in the incident, with one suffering serious wounds. This killing occurred amidst heightened tensions and increased violence in the West Bank following recent attacks and counter-operations.
Read More
President Zelensky asserted that Russia’s rejection of an unconditional ceasefire stems from its desire to maintain Black Sea missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and ports. He highlighted that a genuine ceasefire necessitates the complete cessation of hostilities, not merely a pause in fighting, to prevent further escalation. This refusal, Zelensky argued, demonstrates Putin’s intent to retain the capacity for intensified attacks, underscoring the need for continued international pressure on Moscow. A previous proposed 30-day ceasefire, supported by the U.S., was rejected by Russia, which instead demanded sanctions relief. Recent Russian missile strikes on civilian areas further illustrate this ongoing aggression.
Read More
Robert Habeck, Germany’s economy minister, criticized Elon Musk’s proposal for zero US-Europe tariffs, viewing it as a panicked reaction to President Trump’s recently imposed tariffs. Habeck argued that Musk’s suggestion is a sign of weakness stemming from the ensuing economic turmoil, urging Musk to address Trump directly before discussing tariff reduction. Trump’s tariffs triggered significant market drops, with the S&P 500 plunging 10% in two days and the Nasdaq 100 entering a bear market. International responses to the tariffs range from retaliatory measures by China and Canada to a more measured approach from the UK and Australia, underscoring the escalating global trade tensions.
Read More
A new Wall Street Journal poll shows President Trump’s approval rating at 46 percent, with 51 percent disapproving, marking a negative rating. This poll, conducted by Trump’s own pollster and a Democratic pollster, also reveals that 54 percent oppose Trump’s tariffs, and a majority believe the economy is worsening. The negative approval rating follows similar trends in other recent polls and comes amidst market turmoil caused by Trump’s tariff hikes. Trump, however, maintains his stance on tariffs, attributing the economic situation to unrelated factors.
Read More
Plans for a large military parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14th, coinciding with the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, are reportedly underway. The parade, envisioned as a four-mile march from the Pentagon to the White House, has yet to receive formal requests for local assistance, leaving officials with short notice and unclear details. This follows previous attempts by President Trump to organize similar events, which were met with significant cost concerns and logistical challenges. The proposed parade’s scale suggests substantial coordination will be needed across multiple federal agencies and local authorities.
Read More
The New Zealand government has announced a $12 billion investment in its Defence Force over the next four years, increasing defence spending to over 2% of GDP within eight years. This funding includes replacing aging aircraft, upgrading naval vessels, and procuring new helicopters to enhance surveillance and humanitarian capabilities. While $50-100 million is allocated for personnel, the plan focuses on enhancing combat capabilities through missile upgrades and exploring land-based strike options. The government will review the plan biennially, emphasizing that this investment represents a minimum commitment.
Read More
President Trump’s prediction of a market crash following a loss in the 2024 election appears to be coming true. His tariffs have rapidly shifted a bull market into a potential bear market, with the S&P 500 experiencing a significant 15% drop since his inauguration, exceeding the speed of any similar decline in modern presidential history. This market downturn, exacerbated by Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements, is accompanied by increasing recessionary forecasts from major financial institutions. The interconnectedness of Wall Street and Main Street, coupled with the widespread participation in the stock market, suggests a potential economic downturn impacting a large portion of the American population.
Read More
Vietnam proposed eliminating import tariffs on U.S. goods and increasing U.S. product procurement to avoid new U.S. tariffs. However, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro rejected this offer, citing a substantial trade deficit stemming from alleged Vietnamese trade practices like rebranding Chinese goods. Navarro characterized the situation as a national emergency rather than a negotiation, maintaining that the 46% tariff on Vietnamese imports would remain in effect. Vietnam’s request for a 45-day delay on the tariff implementation was also denied.
Read More
In response to recent U.S. tariff increases, the EU reiterated its offer of a “zero-for-zero” tariff deal encompassing industrial goods like cars and chemicals. This offer, while excluding agricultural products and safety standards, aims to de-escalate the escalating trade war sparked by President Trump. The current situation has severely impacted global financial markets, causing significant losses. While the EU’s average tariffs on U.S. non-agricultural goods are low, the 10% tariff on American cars remains a point of contention.
Read More
SpaceX, United Launch Services, and Blue Origin secured multibillion-dollar contracts from the U.S. Space Force for national security satellite launches. SpaceX received the largest share, totaling approximately $5.92 billion, while United Launch Services and Blue Origin secured $5.37 billion and $2.39 billion, respectively. These contracts, supporting roughly 50 missions through 2029, come amidst significant Pentagon budget cuts spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The awarding of these contracts to SpaceX, despite broader budget cuts, has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest given Elon Musk’s involvement in DOGE and his substantial campaign donations.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker