Going

Wall Street is ongelooflijk veerkrachtig gebleken tegenover instabiliteit, en terwijl het consumentenvertrouwen is gedaald, zijn de aandelen geklommen.

• President Trump vertrok op dinsdag 12 mei 2026 voor een tweedaags staatsbezoek aan China, nadat de reis aanvankelijk werd uitgesteld vanwege de voortdurende oorlog tussen de VS en Iran. • Het programma bevat een welkomstceremonie, twee bilaterale ontmoetingen met President Xi Jinping, een staatsbanket, een rondleiding door de Tempel van de Hemel en een theesessie binnen minder dan 48 uur. • Het bezoek onderstreept de voortdurende betrokkenheid tussen de VS en China en markeert de eerste van vier geplande ontmoetingen tussen Trump en Xi dit jaar, inclusief het staatsbezoek van Xi aan de VS in het najaar.

• Gelden vloeien naar goede doelen en andere organisaties, waarbij de Executive Council of Australian Jewry $124 miljoen ontvangt voor extra beveiliging • Bekijk alle verslaggeving over de federale begroting van Australië voor 2026 • Ontvang onze breaking news-email, gratis app of dagelijkse nieuwspodcast

• Samhsa stelde dat financiering niet mag worden gebruikt voor de aankoop of distributie van fentanyl-teststrips of andere drugstestkits. • De beslissing van de regering-Trump om het gebruik van federale middelen voor fentanyl-teststrips te beperken, wat beambten beschreven als een "duidelijke verschuiving weg van schadebeperking", zou fatale gevolgen kunnen hebben, waarschuwden experts en critici. • De Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Samhsa) stuurde in april een open brief waarin een einde werd gemaakt aan het gebruik van haar financiering voor alle teststrips voor substanties, inclusief fentanyl, xylazine en medetomidine, de nieuwste innovatieve straatdrug die voor chaos zorgt in de VS. Lees verder...

Labor heeft aangekondigd dat de financiering voor de Australian Submarine Agency in het volgende fiscale jaar zal stijgen naar 512 miljoen dollar, te midden van zorgen dat de eigen onderzeeërvloot mogelijk nooit zal arriveren. Federal budget 2026 LIVE updates: Aankondiging en toespraak over de begroting van de Australische regering – laatste nieuws Bekijk alle verslaggeving over de federale begroting van Australië voor 2026 Ontvang onze breaking news e-mail, gratis app of dagelijkse nieuwspodcast Het budget voor de controversiële Aukus-deal van Australië is in vier jaar tijd met meer dan 430 miljoen dollar gestegen, waarbij het agentschap dat verantwoordelijk is voor het veiligstellen van de kernenergie-onderzeeërs van het land een enorme injectie van financiering en personeel nodig heeft. De middelen voor de Australian Submarine Agency voor het volgende fiscale jaar zullen met een derde stijgen – van 385 miljoen naar 512 miljoen dollar. Lees verder...

• De permanente vertegenwoordiger van China bij de VN, Fu Cong, benadrukte hoe het conflict in Sudan en de instabiliteit in Zuid-Sudan het politieke proces in het gebied Abyei belemmeren. • De situatie ter plaatse blijft somber op zowel veiligheids- als humanitair vlak in beide landen, wat de vertragingen in de onderhandelingen verergert. • Deze stagnatie bedreigt de stabiliteit in de regio op de lange termijn, wat invloed heeft op de Amerikaanse belangen bij het bestrijden van instabiliteit en de humanitaire hulpverlening in Afrika.

Organisatoren, waaronder voetvolkers uit Selma, stellen dat de uitspraak het nieuwste hoofdstuk is in een lange strijd tegen de ontneming van het stemrecht van zwarte Amerikanen in de VS.

Biologen hadden vermoedt dat de coyote een kortere afstand had afgelegd naar de voormalige gevangenis in de San Francisco Bay eerder dit jaar

Terri Sewell and Shomari Figures are at risk of losing their seats in Alabama’s Black congressional districts after rulingThe lawmakers who represent Alabama’s two Black congressional districts, who are now at risk of losing their seats after the supreme court effectively decimated the Voting Rights Act, said the decision sends the US “backwards”.The 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v Callais on Wednesday weakens a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, opening the door for Republicans to eliminate majority-minority congressional districts across the south, and representatives Terri Sewell and Shomari Figures stand in the crosshairs. Continue reading...

US generated more power from renewables like solar and wind than fossil fuels recently for a full month in a firstDonald Trump has wielded the full might of his administration to crush the progress of clean energy, which has called a “scam” and “stupid”. But there are signs this assault is not going to plan.In March, the US generated more of its electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind than it did via gas, the first time clean energy has surpassed the planet-heating fossil fuel for a full month nationally, according to data from the Ember thinktank. Continue reading...

• US military missile inventories, including Tomahawks, Patriots, and THAAD interceptors, are depleting faster than production rates amid the Iran war launched February 28, 2026. • President Trump extended the Iran truce, prompting questions on whether it's a diplomatic move or a pause to resupply amid sustainability concerns. • The conflict, triggered by US-Israeli airstrikes killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has led to Iranian retaliation and Strait of Hormuz closure, disrupting global oil supplies.

An Ecuadorian fishing crew describe their ordeal as victims of Trump’s purported war on ‘narcoterrorists’By 4pm, the light was softening over the Pacific, and the crew of the Don Maca were finishing a long day hauling in lines of swordfish and albacore. Down in the hold, the mood had settled into the familiar rhythm of a fishing day drawing to a close.“We were just working, waiting for the last trawler to return,” Jhonny Sebastián Palacios, one of the fishers, told the Guardian. “Everything was perfectly fine.” Continue reading...

• Donald Trump announced a major ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon while signaling progress toward a potential nuclear deal with Iran. • The development represents a significant diplomatic initiative amid broader Middle East tensions and ongoing US-Iran negotiations. • The ceasefire comes as regional dynamics continue to shift with multiple diplomatic channels active simultaneously.

• The U.S. and Iran agreed on Tuesday to a two-week ceasefire, marking a potential diplomatic breakthrough after 47 days of conflict. • Under the agreement, both Iran and Oman will be permitted to participate in the pause in hostilities, with U.S. military personnel and weaponry remaining positioned in and around Iran until a peace deal is finalized. • The ceasefire emerges as negotiators push for a next round of talks, though tensions remain high with shipping disruptions continuing in the Strait of Hormuz.

Chancellor ‘frustrated and angry’ at decision to attack Iran ‘without being clear what the objectives are’UK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesRachel Reeves has hit out at the “folly” of Donald Trump’s decision to go to war against Iran without a clear exit plan.Speaking to the Mirror before a trip to Washington for the International Monetary Fund spring meeting, the UK chancellor renewed her criticism of the war, which has pushed up oil prices and threatens a new jump in inflation across the west. Continue reading...

• The EU Council approved a new sanctions package on April 11 targeting 28 Russian oligarchs and 15 companies involved in military procurement, freezing assets valued at approximately €3.2 billion. • The sanctions aim to disrupt Russian defense supply chains and increase pressure on Moscow's ability to sustain military operations in Ukraine, with measures including travel bans and financial transaction restrictions. • EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell stated the sanctions demonstrate "unwavering support" for Ukraine, though critics argue they remain insufficient to alter Russian strategic calculations.

Olivia has been detained for months at the sprawling Dilley center in Texas. She has lost 20lbs, and wakes up every day with a headacheEach day in detention feels like 48 hours for Olivia.The 19-year-old asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas for more than four months. Continue reading...

• Rates of US adults skipping needed care due to unaffordable costs rose to 12.4% in 2024, up from declines seen 2019-2021. • Forgone care varies by state, insurance type, and chronic disease status, exacerbating health disparities nationwide. • Gallup polls identify healthcare costs as the top health issue, surpassing access and obesity concerns for Americans.

• Two U.S. fighter jets were downed by Iranian fire, with one pilot successfully rescued following an active search and rescue mission in the ongoing Iran conflict. • Two Black Hawk helicopters were also struck by incoming Iranian fire during operations, according to defense officials. • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has maintained that U.S. forces have significantly degraded Iran's air defense capabilities in recent weeks.

Ripple effects of oil and fertiliser shortage felt by farmers in India and Sri Lanka despite governments saying there is enough stock to go roundGurvinder Singh never thought the war in Iran would touch his quiet corner of Punjab.Yet looking out over his smallholding, where he alternates between wheat and rice crops in the state known as India’s breadbasket, the 52-year-old farmer can barely think of anything else. His anxiety over a conflict playing out thousands of miles away is crippling as he fears what will come of this season’s rice crop. Continue reading...

• S&P 500 rises 1.12% or 71 points, with SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) up 0.91% or $5.78, on March 31, 2026, amid news President Trump may end the war. • Dow Jones climbs 1.14% or 512 points, Nasdaq advances 1.09% or 252 points, as futures explode on the development. • Oil increases 25 cents to $103.13 per barrel, gold jumps $51.39 to $4,579 an ounce, while Bitcoin falls $173 to $66,554.

• The Senate voted early Friday morning to approve a Department of Homeland Security funding bill that excludes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and portions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ending weeks of stalled negotiations. • Republicans indicated they plan to fund immigration enforcement agencies through a separate reconciliation bill in fiscal 2027, bypassing the normal appropriations process and relying solely on GOP votes. • The Senate-passed measure faces significant obstacles in the House, where hardline conservatives have already signaled opposition, threatening to extend the DHS shutdown beyond its current five-week duration.

• President Trump announced he is delaying threatened strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, citing productive talks on ending the war and extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. • Iranian leaders continue to deny any direct talks are taking place with U.S. officials, maintaining their public position on the dispute. • The delay signals potential diplomatic progress while tensions remain high over regional shipping routes critical to global oil supplies.

• President Trump announced a 10-day pause in strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure through April 6, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, citing ongoing negotiations mediated by Pakistan under a 15-point framework. • Trump disclosed that Iran sent ten oil tankers as a goodwill gesture, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Iran's clerical leadership as "religious fanatics" posing a global nuclear threat. • Israel confirmed the killing of Iran's navy head responsible for Strait of Hormuz disruptions, while Iran launched emergency recruitment and lowered its draft age to 12, according to CBN News reporting.

• President Trump extended the strike deadline on Iran's energy sector while warning that failure to accept current negotiation terms would result in "far greater military consequences," according to White House statements. • The White House confirmed ongoing negotiations with Iranian leadership despite military operations continuing at historic levels, with Iranian leadership described by Trump as "desperate to negotiate."

• The U.S. Senate approved a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, including TSA operations, but excluding ICE and parts of Customs and Border Protection. • The measure addresses impacts from the partial government shutdown, where over 480 TSA officers quit and absences hit 40% at some airports. • President Trump announced plans to sign an executive order for immediate TSA agent payments, separate from the Senate bill.

• The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday, March 26, 2026, to end the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, marking the third such attempt in two months after funding lapsed nearly six weeks ago. • The bill aims to restore operations but faces uncertain prospects in the Senate, unlikely to immediately resolve the prolonged funding crisis affecting border security and immigration enforcement. • This repeated House action underscores deepening partisan divides on federal spending priorities during a critical period for national security infrastructure.

Jena Lisa Jones says she backed Trump in 2024 election because of his campaign promises to release Epstein filesAfter casting her vote for Donald Trump in 2024 in hopes that he would bring transparency around the Jeffrey Epstein case, Epstein survivor Jena Lisa Jones said in an interview this week that she now fears “we’re not going to get justice in all of this”.“I wanted my day in court,” said Jones, who has said she was abused by Epstein when she was 14, in an interview on the Shadow Sessions podcast that aired on Thursday morning. “I didn’t get that, and we were so close to it, it really got ripped from us, and then after [Epstein] passed, everything just went into a circus show.” Continue reading...