June 13, 2026

Is the US Economy Declining or Growing?

Chris Hedges gives us a realistic assessment of Trump’s brittle, dystopic, BS economy.

Elon Musk's Unchecked Power Is One More Sign of Rot in Trump's Regime.

Steve Schmidt gives us the low-down on this superrich welfare beneficiary. There are many of them in the billionaire class, don’t you know? All aspiring trillionaires, you understand. By the way, some people call them welfare queens! 😊 Their sugar daddy is the state! But they are firm believers in capitalism — for the little people, the masses; but when it comes to themselves, they believe in huge state subsidies and massive tax advantages. — © Mark Alexander

Elon Musk Will Be a Trillionaire ‘Fleetingly’ | Robert Watts

Jun 13, 2026 | “This is a valuation largely built on AI, and there are other more interesting businesses already making stronger advances.”

Elon Musk has been made a trillionaire, who is four times as rich anyone else on earth, by a valuation of SpaceX’s AI potential that is “north of a hundred times the annual revenue of the business,” says compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List Robert Watts.


Should Switzerland Cap Its Population at 10 Million? Voters Will Decide.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: One of the world’s richest countries is about to hold a referendum on a measure that would curb migration and most likely the economy. It is being sold in warm tones.

This screenshot is from this NYT article. | Campaign posters ahead of the population cap vote. President Trump’s face is on a no poster, with the slogan, “Now, of all times, a break with Europe?” The yes slogan shown is “Protect Switzerland.” | Sebastien Bozon/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

For 50 years, Walter Nef has carved toys and cheese boards from maple trees that grow near his quiet village outside Zurich, which seems louder to him by the day. There are more cars, more construction cranes, more people, and not just in this valley. Switzerland, Mr. Nef says, seems just about full.

That is why Mr. Nef says he supports a nationwide initiative, in an election this Sunday, to cap the resident population at 10 million. The measure aims to drastically reduce immigration as the country approaches that level, which it could reach in the next decade. But Mr. Nef, like many supporters, describes the measure less in terms of migrants than in terms of infrastructure, ecology and density.

“It is simply not good when an organism grows so fast,” Mr. Nef, 79, told me at his workshop this week.

The election on Sunday is a product of Switzerland’s form of direct democracy, which allows groups that can gather 100,000 signatures to send major policy questions to voters with relative ease, in a way that echoes states like California. Polls suggest a tight contest that could go either way.

It is the latest chapter in Europe’s backlash against migration, which has helped right-wing parties surge across the continent, including in Switzerland, a country with four official languages that has been shaped by migrants for nearly two and a half centuries.

But this chapter comes with several twists, starting with its sales pitch.

The measure was put to voters by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, which has sent other anti-migration measures to the ballot in the past, including a successful effort to ban the construction of mosque minarets. This time, it has spent much of the campaign appealing to centrist voters’ concerns about traffic jams, crowded trains and high housing costs. It calls the measure a “sustainability initiative.” » | Jim Tankersley | Reporting from Zurich, Bern, Basel and Bauma, Switzerland | Saturday, June 13, 2026

How Capping Its Population at 10 Million Could Reshape Switzerland »

Swiss wait to hear result of ballot on capping population at 10 million: The far-right proposal would require the government to put restrictions in place to limit the population by 2050 »

LESEN SIE AUCH:

Macht die Schweiz den Deckel zu?: Die Abstimmung über eine Obergrenze der Bevölkerung von zehn Millionen lässt die Schweizer Wirtschaft zittern. Sie ist auf Arbeitskräfte aus dem Ausland angewiesen und fürchtet um den Zugang zum europäischen Binnenmarkt. » [€]

À LIRE AUSSI :

« Pas de Suisse à 10 millions d’habitants » : avant le référendum sur l’immigration, que disent les sondages ? : Attachés à la démocratie directe, les Suisses sont appelés aux urnes pour se prononcer sur une initiative visant à limiter l’expansion de la population. La démographie helvète a été bouleversée par l’immigration depuis 2002. »

June 12, 2026

How Elon Musk Became the Face of Broken American Capitalism

Jun 14, 2026 | Investigative journalist and founder of The Lever Dave Sirota joins Wajahat Ali to examine how Elon Musk's rise reflects deeper problems in American capitalism and the political establishment.

Waj and Dave discuss the role of government subsidies, regulatory policy, corporate lobbying, campaign financing, and media influence in helping create today's tech oligarchs. They explore how billionaire power intersects with politics, why accountability has become increasingly difficult, and what Musk's empire reveals about the relationship between wealth and public policy in the United States.

The conversation also looks beyond Musk himself to the broader system that rewards concentration of wealth, privatizes gains, socializes risk, and gives extraordinary influence to a small group of powerful individuals.

The central question: Is Elon Musk an exception—or the inevitable product of a political and economic system designed to benefit billionaires?


Espagne : l’ex-premier ministre Zapatero visé par une enquête pour fraude fiscale après la découverte de bijoux

LE FIGARO : José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, figure historique et très respectée de la gauche espagnole, est accusé de ne pas pouvoir « justifier du paiement des droits de douane, des taxes spéciales ou des impôts associés à l’importation » de ces bijoux d’une valeur totale de « 1.323.915 euros ».

L'ancien premier ministre espagnol José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, déjà visé par une enquête pour trafic d'influence, est désormais mis en cause aussi pour fraude fiscale et contrebande présumées, après la découverte de bijoux à son bureau lors d'une perquisition, a annoncé la justice espagnole vendredi 12 juin.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, figure historique et très respectée de la gauche espagnole, est accusé de ne pas pouvoir « justifier du paiement des droits de douane, des taxes spéciales ou des impôts associés à l'importation » de ces bijoux d'une valeur totale de « 1.323.915 euros », selon un document publié par l'Audience nationale, en charge des investigations. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 12 juin 2026

Elon Musk Becomes World’s First Trillionaire

THE TELEGRAPH: Tech boss’s net worth rises above $1tn mark as shares in SpaceX surge 20pc in initial trading

Elon Musk has become the first trillionaire in history after his SpaceX business floated on the stock market in New York.

The world’s richest man’s net worth soared above the $1tn mark (£860bn) as shares in his rocket business surged by 20pc in initial trading after the company went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Mr Musk has a stake of around 43pc in the rocket venture, which was valued at $2.1tn (£1.8tn) as markets opened, on top of his shares in Tesla and his other start-ups.

SpaceX’s shares jumped to $162 in early trading, flying past its initial listing price of $135.

It means Mr Musk’s stakes in SpaceX and Tesla have crystallised into a $1tn paper fortune, although he is prevented from selling shares in SpaceX for at least one year under the terms of the float. » | Matthew Field | Senior Technology Reporter | Friday, June 12, 2026

Brexit: 10 Years of Regret? • FRANCE 24 English

Jun 12, 2026 | On June 23, 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union with 52 percent of "Leave" votes against 48 percent for "Remain". It was a political storm few had predicted. Ten years on, our Revisited show explores the social and political impact of the decision. How did Brexit reshape the country and has it helped improve people's lives? What has been the impact on the economy and on sectors like farming?

June 11, 2026

ECB Raises Eurozone Interest Rates as Iran War Stokes Inflation

THE GUARDIAN: European Central Bank increases main deposit rate to 2.25%, with two further rises expected by next spring

The European Central Bank has raised interest rates for the first time since 2023 in response to higher inflation caused by the war in Iran.

The ECB raised its main deposit rate from 2% to 2.25% in a move that financial markets expect to be the first of three rises by next spring.

Eurozone consumer price inflation rose to 3.2% in May 2026, from 3% in April, sparking concerns that the conflict in the Middle East will force manufacturers and retailers to push through price increases into the summer and autumn to maintain profit levels. The ECB’s inflation target is 2%.

The ECB’s president, Christine Lagarde, said the outlook for inflation and the broader economy was uncertain while the war in Iran continued to push energy costs higher. » | Philip Inman | Thursday, June 11, 2026

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June 11, 2026


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How Poland Built a Trillion-Dollar Economy

May 31, 2026 | Poland has become one of Europe’s standout growth stories, with an economy that crossed $1 trillion and a new generation of entrepreneurs returning home after studying and working abroad.

Finance Minister Andrzej Domański points to decades of reform, EU integration, foreign investment, and a diversified economy as drivers of Poland’s rise, while venture capitalist Aleksandra Pedraszewska says Warsaw’s technology scene now offers opportunities that were far less obvious a decade ago.

But economists warn that sustaining the boom will require Poland to address large deficits, elevated defense spending, demographic decline, and the need for more investment in research, education, and innovation.


The Chinese Car Company Beating Tesla | The Global Story

May 26, 2026 | In 2025, the Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD overtook Tesla as the world’s biggest seller of electric vehicles.

As conflict in the Middle East pushes up fuel prices and boosts demand for EVs, Chinese carmakers are seizing the opportunity. Driven by years of state-backed investment and industrial policy, China has quietly become the global powerhouse of EV production, leading the industry in technology, innovation, and affordability, while the US struggles to keep up.

In today’s episode, we speak to Suranjana Tewari, Asia Business Correspondent for BBC News. She explains what BYD cars are really like, and how China won the EV race.


SpaceX: Wie Elon Musk Investoren mit Science-Fiction Stories blendet

June 11, 2026

Spaniens Boom dank Einwanderung | ARTE Re:

Jun 11, 2026 | In Spanien arbeiten viele Migrantinnen und Migranten ohne Status oder Papiere in den Bereichen Pflege, Landwirtschaft und Tourismus. Nun legalisiert ein Gesetz den Aufenthalt von rund 500.000 von ihnen.

Mildred, Diana und Luz sind Frauen, die es geschafft haben, sich in Spanien zu behaupten. Ändert das neue Gesetz ihr Leben? Mildred kam vor 15 Jahren aus Ecuador nach Spanien – auf der Suche nach Sicherheit und besseren Bildungschancen für sich und ihre Kinder. Sie reiste mit einem Touristenvisum ein und blieb. Wie viele Migrantinnen aus Lateinamerika fand sie Arbeit als Haushaltshilfe – ohne offiziellen Status und in ständiger Angst vor Abschiebung. "Es gab häufig Razzien in Diskotheken oder Nachtlokalen, wo Dokumente kontrolliert wurden. Deshalb bin ich gar nicht erst ausgegangen."

Der Dienstleistungssektor – insbesondere Tourismus, Pflege und haushaltsnahe Leistungen – zählt neben der Landwirtschaft zu den zentralen Treibern des spanischen Wirtschafts-wachstums. In diesem Bereich arbeiten die meisten der lateinamerikanischen Migrantinnen, darunter auch Mildred. Inzwischen arbeitet sie offiziell als Haushaltshilfe. Ihr Aufenthaltsstatus wurde im Zuge eines Regierungsdekrets legalisiert. Eine umstrittene Entscheidung: Für die einen ist das ein längst überfälliger Schritt zu Rechten, Schutz und gesellschaftlicher Teilhabe. Für die anderen ein Signal, das neue irreguläre Migration begünstigt.

Reportage (D 2026, 30 Min)
Video verfügbar bis zum 17/05/2031


Steve Rosenberg: Russia's Barred from the FIFA World Cup. But What Are the Russian Papers Saying about It?

Jun 11, 2026 | In today’s Russian papers: how are the “fuel crisis, petrol sales restrictions, drone strikes, flight delays” affecting Russians’ holiday plans? What “victories” does Moscow think it has already gained?

Plus, reaction to the start of the FIFA World Cup, which Russia is banned from taking part in.)


June 10, 2026

SpaceX’s I.P.O. Could Turn 4,400 Employees Into Millionaires

THE NEW YORK TIMES: While Elon Musk may soon become a trillionaire, his rocket company’s market debut is set to the change the lives of its current and former employees, too.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Chelsea Beck

As Trevor Hise was getting ready to graduate from college in 2011, his parents wanted him to take what they saw as a stable job at General Electric. But Mr. Hise had landed an internship at a start-up he loved. Against his parents’ advice, he stayed for a full-time job at that young company for the next 12 years.

The start-up was Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Today, Mr. Hise has more than 100,000 SpaceX shares that he earned from his time working there. With the rocket maker expected to go public this week at $135 a share, Mr. Hise’s SpaceX stock is likely worth at least $13.5 million — a sum that has left him in disbelief.

“The magnitude of this has been ridiculous,” said the 37-year-old, who worked as a SpaceX launch engineer and now considers himself semiretired.

SpaceX’s journey to the stock market has been defined by a series of superlatives. It is the biggest-ever initial public offering of the most dominant space company by the world’s richest man. And it is set to unleash generational wealth if its shares soar in its trading debut at the whopping valuation of $1.77 trillion, five times the market capitalization of General Electric.

SpaceX’s I.P.O. is expected to make a lot of rich people even richer. First in the queue is Mr. Musk, 54, who is likely to become the world’s first trillionaire. His friends, along with Silicon Valley venture capitalists, private investment firms and others who put money into the company, are also set to reap billions. » | Kirsten Grind Reporting from San Francisco | Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Guerre en Iran, inflation, popularité... Donald Trump collectionne revers et déconvenues

Cette capture d'écran provient de cet article du Figaro. | Donald Trump à bord d’Air Force One, le 5 juin 2026. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

LE FIGARO : ANALYSE - Le conflit au Moyen-Orient et la hausse des prix rendent le président de plus en plus impopulaire. Tandis que les républicains sont moins enclins à soutenir tous ses projets, à commencer par les plus somptuaires.

Les contrariétés s’accumulent pour Donald Trump. Le 250e anniversaire de la fondation des États-Unis, qui tombe par un heureux hasard le même jour que le sien, le 14 juin, est déjà l’objet de controverses qui menacent de gâcher la fête. Sa « petite excursion » militaire contre l’Iran traîne en longueur. Au lieu des quelques semaines prévues, le conflit a dépassé les cent jours et son issue reste incertaine. Les Iraniens refusent de s’avouer vaincus, le détroit d’Ormuz reste fermé à la navigation, et la guerre menace régulièrement de reprendre pour se transformer en un conflit régional. L’impopularité de cette aventure militaire alimente celle du président, tombé aussi bas dans les sondages que Joe Biden après son retrait catastrophique d’Afghanistan en 2021. La hausse des prix du carburant et la reprise de l’inflation attisent le mécontentement, alimentant la nervosité des républicains à l’approche des élections de mi-mandat, en novembre prochain.

Même si Trump maintient son contrôle sur le parti, certains élus commencent à manifester des réticences à soutenir les projets les plus audacieux de ce président pas comme les autres. La création d’un fonds d’indemnisation de 1,776 milliard de dollars pour verser des dommages et intérêts aux victimes de l’Administration Biden, à commencer par les émeutiers du 6 janvier 2021, passe mal. L’enrichissement de Trump et de son entourage et ses projets somptuaires servent aux démocrates à décrire un président coupé des réalités, ne fréquentant que des oligarques, et reclus dans son cocon doré de Mar-a-Lago. » | Par Adrien Jaulmes, correspondant à Washington | mercredi 10 juin 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

June 09, 2026

Kushner’s Sazan Plan: Barefoot Self-discovery or Modern Land Grab?| Soumaya Ghannoushi | MEE Opinion

Jun 9, 2026 | Soumaya Ghannoushi, a writer and expert in Middle East politics, argues that Jared Kushner's multi-billion-dollar plan to build a luxury resort on Sazan Island exposes a significant disconnect between elite privilege and the real-world implications of sovereignty.

Ghannoushi points out that what Ivanka Trump describes as an innocent "barefoot discovery" of an untouched "mysterious Mediterranean paradise" is actually a calculated venture supported by foreign sovereign wealth funds and facilitated by local authorities that are compliant with these plans.

She argues that Kushner is attempting to reduce sovereign geography to merely a picturesque backdrop, drawing a troubling parallel to his controversial real estate ambitions regarding the "waterfront potential of Gaza" during Israel’s genocidal war on the besieged strip.



This is a fantastic synopsis. Bravo! — Mark

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Holidaymakers Using Fortune-telling Cards to Predict When Airports Won't Be Shut by Drones

June 8, 2026 | With Ukrainian drone attacks continuing to force temporary shutdowns of Russian airports, one Russian paper today reports that “Russians have started to use fortune telling cards to tell them what date they should fly off on holiday.”

June 08, 2026

Machen Superreiche die Welt besser? | Stimmt es, dass ...? | ARTE

Jun 7, 2026 | Mit Milliarden die Welt zu einem besseren Ort machen – Philanthropie gilt als große Erfolgsgeschichte. Aber stimmt das eigentlich?

Die Doku zeigt die Gestaltungsmacht superreicher Spender und wie sie mit ihren Geldern tief in soziale Strukturen eingreifen können. Zwischen Fortschritt und Einfluss stellt sich die Frage: Was hat das für Gesellschaften bedeutet? Und für die Demokratie?

Video verfügbar bis zum 03/06/2027