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Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Category: World
April 2, 2025
William Upton
Economy
World

‘Liberation Day’ and Trump’s Reciprocal Trade Tariffs Explained.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is set to unveil his reciprocal tariff policy aimed at ending unfair trade practices used by other nations against the United States.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, numerous countries, and leaders around the world.

📍 Where & When: “Liberation Day” press conference at the White House’s Rose Garden on Wednesday, April 2 at 4PM EST.

💬 Key Quote: “For the first time in decades, the United States will see fair trade as President Donald J. Trump announces tariffs to level the playing field for American workers and businesses,” the White House said on Wednesday.

⚠️ Impact: The Trump White House argues the tariffs will push foreign countries to reduce their own trade barriers against the United States eventually, but until they do, Americans will benefit from the increased revenue from import duties. Other world leaders say they fear the move will kick off a large-scale trade war.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump will announce his reciprocal tariff policy today during a 4:00PM “Liberation Day” press conference at the White House’s Rose Garden. Despite intense media, corporate, and investor interest in how the tariffs will be structured, few details have emerged before the afternoon announcement. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did state on Tuesday that the trade levies would be “effective immediately” following the Rose Garden event.

The White House has framed the tariff measures as a means to “free” American workers and domestic industries from unfair import duties and other trade restrictions enacted by foreign nations, forcing the United States to run a trade deficit. President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that the lack of action by past American leaders has resulted in the U.S. being “ripped off” by its major foreign trade partners.

While critics of Trump’s aggressive America First trade policy have tried to paint the reciprocal tariffs as overly broad—arguing instead for smaller, more targeted measures—only around 10 to 20 countries will be significantly impacted. Only around 15 foreign nations—who impose high tariff barriers against the U.S. but enjoy most of the U.S. trade volume—account for the entirety of America’s trillion-dollar trade deficit.

Although the White House has kept the actual rates at which the reciprocal tariffs will be imposed under a tight lid, based on recent revenue estimates cited by Trump administration officials, they are likely to be pegged at 10 percent, 25 percent, or 35 percent. Notably, the higher rate estimates account for the Trump administration including other foreign trade restrictions—such as the European Union’s value-added tax (VAT)—in their reciprocal tariff calculations.

The other central question surrounding reciprocal tariffs is whether they will be blanket—covering all exports from the nation they’re imposed on—or sector-based, targeting specific foreign industries instead. A blanket tariff could risk significant retaliation against U.S. exports by the targeted countries, though the substantial economic pressure they’d create may also force foreign leaders to quickly move to drop trade barriers in order to end the U.S. import duties. Meanwhile, industrial sector-based tariffs would give the Trump administration a degree of flexibility, allowing for the strategic targeting of foreign industries—though more targeted trade levies may have less of an economic and political impact overall.

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April 2, 2025
Lawfare
World

Le Pen Will Appeal Heinous Lawfare Case Barring Her From Presidential Race.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally (RN) party, was found guilty of misusing European Union (EU) funds by a Paris court, sentenced to four years in prison (two suspended, two under house arrest), fined €100,000 (~$105,000), and barred from the 2027 presidential race. The populist political leader is now appealing the verdict.

👥 Who’s Involved: Marine Le Pen; French judiciary; Matthieu Almeras, Paris bar lawyer; Gabriel Attal, former French Prime Minister.

📍 Where & When: Paris court ruling decision announced on a Monday; Paris Court of Appeal ruling expected by summer 2026.

💬 Key Quote: “This is a double-edged sword for Le Pen, who could receive a heavier or lighter sentence,” stated Matthieu Almera, a French legal commentator.

⚠️ Impact: Le Pen has filed an appeal delaying prison and financial penalties but maintaining ineligibility for office; questions are being raised about the speed of the appeal process.

IN FULL:

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s populist National Rally party and 2027 presidential election frontrunner, has declared her intention to challenge a recent Paris court verdict that found her guilty of embezzling European Union funds. Following the verdict, the court sentenced Le Pen to four years in prison, with two years suspended and two under house arrest, accompanied by a fine of €100,000. The court also ruled that Le Pen is prohibited from participating in any elections for the next five years, rendering her unable to compete in the 2027 presidential election.

While Le Pen’s appeal delays the imposition of a prison sentence and fine, her ineligibility to run for public office remains intact. The Paris Court of Appeal is now set to evaluate her case, with a decision anticipated by mid-2026. According to French legal commentator Matthieu Almeras, the appeal “is a double-edged sword for Le Pen, who could receive a heavier or lighter sentence.”

Should the initial judgment stand, Le Pen has further judicial avenues, including the Court of Cassation, which reviews procedural adherence rather than case facts, and potentially the European Court of Human Rights, although such cases would extend beyond the 2027 electoral timeline, given the exhaustive nature of the processes involved.

The relatively rapid processing of Le Pen’s appeal has also sparked debate within France’s legal circles. Political opponents of Le Pen and the National Rally contend the expedited legal proceedings raise questions of fairness and equality under the law. Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, the leader of Emmanuel Macron‘s Renaissance party, criticized the fast pace of the appeal, telling reporters on Tuesday that he wouldn’t know what to say to those whose appeals might be delayed so that the court can take up Le Pen’s legal challenge. However, the obvious answer to this is that a slower appeal might leave her unable to run in 2027 even if she pleads her case successfully.

Many regard Le Pen’s conviction, which hinges on the fact she used assistants at the European Parliament, paid via EU funds, to perform domestic party work, as a farce. Even liberal journalists concede that “hundreds” of European Parliament members use their parliamentary assistants in this way without sanction.

Image by Vox España.

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April 1, 2025
William Upton
Economy
World

Trump Says Plans Are Set for Reciprocal Tariff Roll Out on Wednesday, ‘Liberation Day.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump will unveil his administration’s reciprocal tariff policy on Wednesday.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, numerous countries, and leaders around the world.

📍 Where & When: “Liberation Day,” Wednesday, April 2.

💬 Key Quote: “The president has a brilliant team of advisers who have been studying these issues for decades, and we are focused on restoring the golden age of America and making America a manufacturing superpower.” — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

⚠️ Impact: The Trump White House argues the tariffs will push foreign countries to reduce their own trade barriers against the United States eventually, but until they do, Americans will benefit from the increased revenue from import duties. Other world leaders say they fear the move will kick off a large-scale trade war.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump says the United States’ plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday are ready and will be rolled out as part of what the America First leader has dubbed “Liberation Day.” The President will unveil the tariffs—which the White House says will take effect immediately—during a 4:00 PM news conference in the Rose Garden.

“That word reciprocal is very important,” Trump said during a press event in the Oval Office on Monday. He continued: “What they do to us, we do to them.” Meanwhile, during Tuesday’s press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the media that President Trump has settled on the structure of the reciprocal tariff plans and was meeting with his trade advisor on “perfecting it.” Leavitt added that Trump is “always up to take a phone call” from foreign leaders who are willing to drop their barriers to U.S. imports, but at this juncture, the President is “very much focused on fixing the wrongs of the past.”

“The president has a brilliant team of advisers who have been studying these issues for decades, and we are focused on restoring the golden age of America and making America a manufacturing superpower,” Leavitt stated.

While globalists and anti-Trump politicians have tried to paint the reciprocal tariffs as an unprecedented and broad assault on global trade, the reality is that most countries will not notice significant changes. However, President Trump’s Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has warned that around 15 percent of countries—who impose high tariff barriers against the U.S. but enjoy most of the U.S. trade volume—will see significant economic disruptions. Bessent called this collection of nations the “Dirty 15.”

There are estimated to be between 10 and 20 countries that account for the United States’s entire trillion-dollar trade deficit. U.S. government data from the Department of Congress suggests these nations and blocs likely include China, Mexico, Vietnam, Ireland, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Canada, India, Thailand, Italy, Switzerland, Malaysia, Indonesia, France, Austria, and Sweden.

While the tariff rate is not yet known—there is speculation that, on average, countries will likely see a 20 percent tariff on their exports to the U.S.

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April 1, 2025
NatSec
World

US, China Compete for Greenland’s Strategic Resources.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump’s administration is interested in acquiring Greenland, motivated by concerns over national security and the region’s mineral resources.

👥 Who’s Involved: The key figures include U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, President Donald J. Trump, the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and the Greenlandic and Danish authorities.

📍 Where & When: The discussions around acquiring Greenland are ongoing, with recent comments made by Vice President J.D. Vance at the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on March 28, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Vice President J.D. Vance stated, “We need to ensure that America is leading in the Arctic because we know that if America doesn’t, other nations will fill the gap where we fall behind.”

⚠️ Impact: The push for control over Greenland aims to enhance access to critical minerals, secure strategic Arctic shipping routes, and add to the U.S. Naval presence in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is intensifying efforts to assume control over the island of Greenland as part of an effort to secure the United States’s access to critical rare earth minerals and reinforce its strategic military position in the Arctic. During a visit to Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base last week, Vice President J.D. Vance reiterated the significance of American leadership in the Arctic, cautioning against the growing interests of China and Russia in Arctic shipping lanes and mineral reserves.

“We know that Russia and China and other nations are taking an extraordinary interest in Arctic passageways and Arctic naval routes and indeed in the minerals of the Arctic territories,” Vance said during a March 28 diplomatic visit to the island. He added: “We need to ensure that America is leading in the Arctic because we know that if America doesn’t, other nations will fill the gap where we fall behind.”

Greenland’s mineral wealth includes several rare earth elements considered essential for batteries and technology. The Trump administration sees these elements as crucial for diminishing reliance on Chinese imports. A 2023 report highlights that Greenland holds 25 of the 34 minerals classified as “critical raw materials” by the European Commission.

Ownership and control issues are complex, though, with local and Danish authorities resisting any potential U.S. control. Greenland, notably, is currently an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, with the island heavily reliant on aid from its European sovereign.

However, a number of Greenland’s mining operations have recently seen American-based companies take controlling interests in order to prevent Chinese investment in and influence over the island. Despite the influx of American financial backing, Greenland’s lack of infrastructure, harsh Arctic climate, and environmental concerns continue to pose hurdles to capitalizing on its mineral wealth.

Image by NordForsk/Terje Heiestad.

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April 1, 2025
Lawfare
News
World

Marion Maréchal Criticizes Judges Following Marine Le Pen Verdict.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Marine Le Pen was convicted in a dubious embezzlement trial, leading to her being barred from running in the next French presidential election. Her niece, Marion Maréchal, supported her and criticized the judges involved.

👥 Who’s Involved: Marine Le Pen, Marion Maréchal, French judges, the National Rally (RN) party, and Le Pen’s potential successor, Jordan Bardella.

📍 Where & When: France, following a trial that concluded in late 2024; the decision impacts the 2027 presidential election.

💬 Key Quote: “Judges, thinking themselves above the sovereign people, have decided to execute in a court of law the woman they were never able to force back at the ballot box,” Maréchal stated on social media.

⚠️ Impact: Le Pen’s conviction impedes her from participating in the 2027 presidential election, affecting her party’s strategy and potentially disenfranchising millions of supporters.

IN FULL:

Marion Maréchal, a prominent figure in French politics, has publicly defended her aunt, Marine Le Pen, following her conviction in an embezzlement trial. This verdict bars Le Pen from running in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. Maréchal criticized the ruling, characterizing it as a judicial overreach targeting Le Pen, who experienced strong electoral support in past presidential races.

Le Pen, a significant player in French politics, faced legal challenges after prosecutors charged her with misdirecting European Union (EU) funds by having parliamentary assistants perform political work in France. She denied any wrongdoing, arguing that adapting the work of parliamentary paid aides to such activities was legitimate.

Such behavior is commonplace in the European Parliament, even according to liberal journalists, making her prosecution appear highly selective.

Maréchal, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and leader of the Identité Libertés party, expressed her views strongly on social media, arguing that judges acted out of line to engineer Le Pen’s political downfall.

This situation has broad implications for French politics. In 2027, without Le Pen on the ballot, the National Rally might face a strategic challenge in maintaining its electoral influence. Le Pen has identified Jordan Bardella, who has led the National Rally since 2021, as a potential successor. Bardella also criticized the judgment, terming it unjust and a strike against French democracy.

The French mainstream parties have previously attempted to deny Le Pen and her party any influence in the French parliament despite the National Rally being the single largest party there. President Macron’s allies and the far left worked to shut out Le Pen and her party from all key positions in the parliament last year.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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March 31, 2025
News
World

Bodies of 3 Missing U.S. Soldiers Recovered in Lithuania.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The bodies of three U.S. soldiers, reported missing in Lithuania, have been discovered.

👥 Who’s Involved: The incident involves four U.S. soldiers. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and acting NATO spokesman Allison Hart have commented on the situation.

📍 Where & When: The soldiers went missing in Lithuania during a training exercise. Their status was confirmed on Monday.

💬 Key Quote: Rutte remarked in Warsaw that the soldiers were dead, though he lacked details.

⚠️ Impact: A search continues for the fourth missing soldier, highlighting ongoing concerns about troop safety during training missions abroad.

IN FULL:

Military authorities confirmed Monday that three U.S. soldiers, reported missing in Lithuania, have been found dead. The servicemen were part of a group of four initially reported absent, along with their vehicle, during training exercises in the Baltic nation last week. One soldier remains unaccounted for, military representatives have stated.

The call for concern initially arose when a Lithuanian public broadcasting service reported the disappearance of the Americans, who were stationed in the region for training purposes. Subsequently, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, whilst in Warsaw, Poland, indicated that the soldiers were dead, but he did not provide further specifics regarding the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Details concerning the identities of the soldiers remain withheld, pending official release and notifications of next-of-kin.

Lithuania, formerly part of the Soviet Union (USSR), is on the border with the Russian Federation and is one of the main focal points amid rising tensions between parts of NATO and Russia. Along with fellow Estonia and Latvia, Lithuania was one of the few NATO countries to promise to increase defense spending to five percent of national GDP shortly after President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration.

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March 31, 2025
News
War
World

Germany Considers Reinstating Draft, Citing Rising Russian Threat.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Germany’s top general has indicated that the country is considering reinstating conscription to bolster its military forces by 100,000 soldiers.

👥 Who’s Involved: Carsten Breuer, the German Chief of Defence, and other German defense officials are involved in the discussions.

📍 Where & When: The announcement was made on BBC’s Radio 4 on Monday.

💬 Key Quote: Breuer stated, “We won’t get this additional 100,000 soldiers without having one or the other, a model of conscription.”

⚠️ Impact: The potential reinstatement of conscription underscores Germany’s strategic pivot in response to perceived threats, particularly from Russia, and could significantly increase its military personnel.

IN FULL:

Germany is contemplating reinstating military conscription, as conveyed by the nation’s top general. Carsten Breuer, Germany’s Chief of Defence, indicated that reintroducing conscription might be essential to recruit an additional 100,000 soldiers. This move comes in response to growing concerns over the possibility of a conflict with Russia.

Breuer emphasized the necessity of a compulsory service model to meet the recruitment goals necessary for national security. He pointed out that achieving the troop increase without implementing some form of conscription seemed unlikely.

“We won’t get this additional 100,000 soldiers without having one or the other, a model of conscription,” Breuer said.

Highlighting the urgency, Breuer cautioned that Russian forces could potentially threaten NATO territories within four years. This scenario has prompted German defense authorities to propose a substantial military buildup as a deterrent measure. He remarked, “We are threatened by Putin, and we have to do whatever is needed to do to deter, and by building up a strong defence line then you deter best.”

In recent months, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has already floated plans to expand the national armed forces by 50,000, taking the total to 230,000. In May of last year, Pistorius stated that he was already mulling over the idea of introducing conscription for 18-year-olds in Germany to help boost troop numbers.

Germany has a historical precedent for conscription, having enforced mandatory military service for men until 2011 when the policy was shelved.

Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made it clear that he overwhelmingly supports Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and has promised a massive increase in defense spending.

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March 28, 2025
News
UK
War
World

Britain’s Prime Minister is Trying to Derail Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks.

IN BRIEF:

❓What Happened: European leaders discussed the need for progress on a ceasefire in Ukraine and opposed easing sanctions on Russia.

👥 Who’s Involved: Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, Vladimir Putin, leaders from the UK, France, Germany, NATO, and the EU.

📍 Where & When: Talks took place in Paris, with military strategy discussions occurring in London.

💬 Key Quote: “We should be setting a framework and a deadline of delivering real progress,” Sir Keir Starmer said.

⚠️ Impact: Increased international pressure on Russia to engage seriously in peace talks and potential deployment of European forces if an agreement is reached.

IN FULL:

According to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, European leaders have agreed on the necessity of imposing a deadline for Russian progress toward a ceasefire in Ukraine. The decision follows a significant meeting in Paris, where France, Germany, and the United Kingdom vowed to bolster their support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Starmer emphasized that European allies must maintain pressure on Russia, dismissing any immediate options to lift sanctions. “We should be setting a framework and a deadline of delivering real progress,” he said, without specifying a concrete timeline. He stressed the urgency for advancements “in days and weeks, not months and months.”

The meeting and Sir Keir’s remarks come amid an ongoing pause in hostilities in the Black Sea, arranged through US-brokered discussions in Saudi Arabia. Top military officials from the UK, France, and Germany plan to visit Ukraine to strategize on deploying alleged peacekeeping troops in the country.

“Now is not the time for lifting sanctions,” Starmer noted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described sanctions as essential tools for leveraging Russia into serious negotiations.

French President Macron outlined the potential formation of a “reassurance force,” composed of European troops. “These reassurance forces were what was proposed by the French and British not to keep the peace… it’s not about monitoring the forces on the contact line,” Macron stated.

Current fighting continues in Ukraine, with Russia claiming that Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted the regions of Bryansk and Kursk. Moscow has stated these strikes violated an agreement to a ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street. 

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March 27, 2025
News
War
World

Zelensky Rejects Any Peace Deal That Surrenders Territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine will not surrender any territories to Russia that have been under Russian control since 2022. Following Russia’s 2022 invasion, regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia have come under Russian control, in addition to Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.

Despite failed offensives to regain control over the territories since 2022, Ukraine, supported by European allies, continues to demand Russia’s withdrawal.

“One thing is certain: we will never cede our occupied territories to Russia. These lands belong to the Ukrainians,” Zelensky said in an interview with Le Figaro.

Ahead of upcoming peace talks, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff suggested Ukraine’s acknowledgment of losing these territories might be pivotal for a peace agreement. This comment sparked objections from Ukraine, with Zelensky urging the dismissal of Witkoff and yet again criticizing President Donald J. Trump’s diplomatic approach toward Russia.

Zelensky expressed skepticism about Trump’s ability to effectively handle relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, cautioning that easing sanctions could be perceived as a weakness. He also accused Russia of obstructing peace negotiations, alleging that Moscow demands preconditions like lifting sanctions before agreeing to a ceasefire.

While President Trump has engaged in dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a ceasefire, the Russians have accused the Ukrainians of violating an agreement not to target energy infrastructure. Zelensky and his officials continue to undermine the Trump administration’s efforts while European nations like France and the UK talk of deploying troops to the country.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine will not surrender any territories to Russia that have been under Russian control since 2022. Following Russia's 2022 invasion, regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia have come under Russian control, in addition to Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. show more
March 27, 2025
Economy
World

REPORT: US Halts Funding to WTO.

IN BRIEF:

❓What Happened: The United States has halted its payments to the World Trade Organization as part of President Trump’s effort to curb international spending.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald Trump, U.S. delegates to the WTO, WTO officials, and trade representatives.

📍 Where & When: Geneva; the funding pause began in early 2025, with arrears building since late 2024.

💬 Key Quote: “Generally, arrears can impact the operational capacity of the WTO Secretariat… [we] have plans in place to operate within the financial limitations imposed by any arrears.” — WTO spokesman Ismaila Dieng

⚠️ Fallout: The U.S. now owes over $25 million, is in “Category 1 arrears,” and has lost privileges such as presiding over WTO bodies. The WTO is quietly preparing contingency plans.

🔎 Why It Matters: This deepens the Trump administration’s retreat from global institutions and could weaken the WTO’s ability to manage global trade disputes if prolonged.

IN FULL:

According to sources, the United States has frozen its financial contributions to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The payments have been suspended pending a review of Washington’s support for international organizations.

The freeze aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s America First policy agenda. During his first term, Trump attempted to reform the WTO alongside Japan and the European Union. Now, his administration appears intent on sidelining the Geneva-based body by cutting off funding entirely.

The U.S. was expected to contribute around 11 percent of the WTO’s $232 million annual budget. However, as of December 2024, under the former Biden-Harris regime, Washington already owed around $25.7 million.

Due to the unpaid dues, the United States has been downgraded under WTO rules. This means its representatives can no longer chair WTO bodies or access certain official documents.

The WTO’s spokesman, Ismaila Dieng, confirmed that the Secretariat is managing resources prudently and preparing contingency plans for continued financial pressure. However, if the pause in U.S. contributions persists, it could have broader consequences for the organization’s operational capacity.

“The Secretariat continues to manage its resources prudently and has plans in place to operate within the financial limitations imposed by any arrears,” Dieng said.

The White House and the U.S. mission in Geneva have yet to publicly acknowledge the funding freeze. However, sources familiar with a private WTO budget meeting held on March 4 said the U.S. delegation provided no timeline for a final decision. If left unresolved, the U.S. funding gap could further destabilize the WTO. The administration is also pushing to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) and has slashed support for multiple other international bodies.

Official White House Photo by Molly Riley.

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