THE GUARDIAN: US president says tariff on cars and lorries will rise to 25% and accuses European Union of non-compliance
Donald Trump has said he is tearing up part of the tariff deal he struck with EU leaders at his golf course in Scotland last summer, criticising Brussels for taking so long to ratify the deal.
Blindsiding Brussels late on May Day bank holiday on Friday, he announced that he would be increasing tariffs on cars and lorries imported into the US from the EU from 15% to 25% from next week.
Vehicles made in the US by EU companies would be exempt from the increase, he wrote on Truth Social.
“I am pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our full agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” Trump said. » | Lisa O’Carroll | Senior correspondent | Friday, May 1, 2026
This poor man should be put out of his misery and locked up! I strongly suggest he be sectioned! 😊 — © Mark Alexander
May 01, 2026
What the End of Saudi Arabia’s Big-Spending Era Means for the Kingdom and Beyond
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The kingdom is pulling back from a costly and high-profile golf venture amid mounting financial concerns, raising questions about its plans.
Saudi Arabia embarked on a nation-changing project over the past decade under a young prince in a rush to reimagine his kingdom. The kingdom announced ambitious ventures in sports, entertainment and other areas — all in a bid to diversify its economy from its heavy reliance on oil exports and to remake its image from a conservative, insular nation to a dynamic country playing on the world stage.
But in recent years, the global ambitions of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have clashed with financial reality, as the state faces mounting expenses and lower oil revenue, exacerbated by the continuing war in the Middle East. Several major projects have recently been scaled back, mothballed or scrapped.
On Thursday the country’s $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund announced the latest casualty: a multibillion-dollar effort that had, when it started just four years ago, threatened to upend global golf and become a key symbol of Saudi Arabia’s determination to be a major player in sports.
When launching in 2022, the upstart competition, LIV Golf, tore apart the sport’s traditional structures by luring some of the games biggest names with the biggest checks in the sport’s history. It also pulled in — and remunerated — figures like President Trump and led to costly legal battles and congressional hearings.
Now, just four years later, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had said it will cease funding the competition at the end of the year, raising questions about Saudi plans in sports and beyond. In the fund’s most recent announcement about its strategy for the next five years, its main focus was domestic investment. Big-time sports was notably omitted from its list of priorities. » | Tariq Panja | Tariq Panja has covered Saudi Arabia’s efforts to disrupt sports since it began spending heavily for its global ambitions. | Friday, May 1, 2026
Saudi Arabia embarked on a nation-changing project over the past decade under a young prince in a rush to reimagine his kingdom. The kingdom announced ambitious ventures in sports, entertainment and other areas — all in a bid to diversify its economy from its heavy reliance on oil exports and to remake its image from a conservative, insular nation to a dynamic country playing on the world stage.
But in recent years, the global ambitions of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have clashed with financial reality, as the state faces mounting expenses and lower oil revenue, exacerbated by the continuing war in the Middle East. Several major projects have recently been scaled back, mothballed or scrapped.
On Thursday the country’s $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund announced the latest casualty: a multibillion-dollar effort that had, when it started just four years ago, threatened to upend global golf and become a key symbol of Saudi Arabia’s determination to be a major player in sports.
When launching in 2022, the upstart competition, LIV Golf, tore apart the sport’s traditional structures by luring some of the games biggest names with the biggest checks in the sport’s history. It also pulled in — and remunerated — figures like President Trump and led to costly legal battles and congressional hearings.
Now, just four years later, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had said it will cease funding the competition at the end of the year, raising questions about Saudi plans in sports and beyond. In the fund’s most recent announcement about its strategy for the next five years, its main focus was domestic investment. Big-time sports was notably omitted from its list of priorities. » | Tariq Panja | Tariq Panja has covered Saudi Arabia’s efforts to disrupt sports since it began spending heavily for its global ambitions. | Friday, May 1, 2026
Will the Iran War Cause a Global Depression? (w/ Prof. Richard Wolff) | The Chris Hedges Report
Why Countries Are Stocking Up on Gold
THE NEW YORK TIMES: As risk has escalated, central banks have bought more gold to stash in reserve. A widening Middle East war could add to the urgency.
Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Gold bars stored at the Bank of England. | Bank of England | Credits: Unavailable
Central banks around the world have bulked up their reserves of gold, a safe but cumbersome investment that has been revived in popularity by intensifying geopolitical tensions and concerns over inflation.
This year, the price of gold exceeded $5,000 per troy ounce for the first time in history. One major reason prices have soared — doubling in a year and a half — is the demand from emerging economies: The central banks of Poland, Turkey, India and China have been some of the biggest buyers of gold in the past several years.
The shock to the global financial system from the war in the Middle East has underlined again how some central banks turn to gold during times of stress.
Central banks have continued to add to their holdings of gold since the conflict began in late February, including those in China, Poland, the Czech Republic and Uzbekistan, according to data from the World Gold Council. In March, China’s central bank bought more gold than it had in more than a year. Guatemala also bought gold in March, for the first time in about six months, the council said. » | Eshe Nelson | Eshe Nelson, who reported from London, has written about central banks and financial markets for more than a decade. | Friday, May 1, 2026
Where in the World Is All That Gold Stored?: As central banks buy more gold, where to put all that heavy metal is an increasingly important question. Reserves must be secure and ready to trade in a crisis. »
Central banks around the world have bulked up their reserves of gold, a safe but cumbersome investment that has been revived in popularity by intensifying geopolitical tensions and concerns over inflation.
This year, the price of gold exceeded $5,000 per troy ounce for the first time in history. One major reason prices have soared — doubling in a year and a half — is the demand from emerging economies: The central banks of Poland, Turkey, India and China have been some of the biggest buyers of gold in the past several years.
The shock to the global financial system from the war in the Middle East has underlined again how some central banks turn to gold during times of stress.
Central banks have continued to add to their holdings of gold since the conflict began in late February, including those in China, Poland, the Czech Republic and Uzbekistan, according to data from the World Gold Council. In March, China’s central bank bought more gold than it had in more than a year. Guatemala also bought gold in March, for the first time in about six months, the council said. » | Eshe Nelson | Eshe Nelson, who reported from London, has written about central banks and financial markets for more than a decade. | Friday, May 1, 2026
Where in the World Is All That Gold Stored?: As central banks buy more gold, where to put all that heavy metal is an increasingly important question. Reserves must be secure and ready to trade in a crisis. »
April 30, 2026
Trump Tells Merz to ‘Fix His Broken Country’ in New Attack on German Chancellor
THE GUARDIAN: US president’s latest outburst comes a day after he suggested a ‘possible reduction’ in US troops in Germany
Donald Trump has again lashed out at Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, saying he should focus on “fixing his broken country” and trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war – and spend less time “interfering” in Iran.
“The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!),” Trump wrote in a social media post.
Merz should instead focus on “fixing his broken Country,” he wrote, “especially Immigration and Energy, and less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran Nuclear threat, thereby making the World, including Germany, a safer place!”
Trump’s latest outburst came a day after he suggested the US military presence in Germany was being reviewed, with a “possible reduction” of troops under consideration. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin and Jakub Krupa | Thursday, April 30, 2026
Donald Trump has again lashed out at Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, saying he should focus on “fixing his broken country” and trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war – and spend less time “interfering” in Iran.
“The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!),” Trump wrote in a social media post.
Merz should instead focus on “fixing his broken Country,” he wrote, “especially Immigration and Energy, and less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran Nuclear threat, thereby making the World, including Germany, a safer place!”
Trump’s latest outburst came a day after he suggested the US military presence in Germany was being reviewed, with a “possible reduction” of troops under consideration. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin and Jakub Krupa | Thursday, April 30, 2026
Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady
Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady - From her humble beginnings as a grocer's daughter, Margaret Thatcher fought her way through the sexist prejudices of the 1970s to become the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1979.
Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady (2012)
Director: Alan Byron
Stars: Tony Benn, Gyles Brandreth, Michael Brunson
Genre: Documentary, Biography, History
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Release Date: August 24, 2012 (United States)
Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady (2012)
Director: Alan Byron
Stars: Tony Benn, Gyles Brandreth, Michael Brunson
Genre: Documentary, Biography, History
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Release Date: August 24, 2012 (United States)
Rising Costs Forcing 3m UK Households to Skip Meals, Which? Report Finds
THE GUARDIAN: Consumer insight tracker shows 85% are worried about food prices and a majority think the economy will deteriorate
Three million UK households are being forced to skip meals as consumers resort to drastic measures to deal with rising costs, according to a Which? report published on Thursday.
The conflict in the Middle East and subsequent surge in oil and raw material prices has led to businesses preparing to raise prices, putting more pressure on household finances and hitting consumer confidence.
The Which? consumer insight tracker for the month to 10 April shows a fall in consumer confidence to -62. This is the lowest level since the peak of the cost of living crisis in 2022 and down from -56 the previous month.
Most adults – 71% – believe the UK economy will deteriorate in the next 12 months, with only 9% predicting it will get better. And 85% are now worried about food prices, up from 83% in February.
To manage rising costs, families are compromising on their shopping and eating habits, with 43% buying cheaper products, 37% purchasing more supermarket-branded budget items and 31% buying extra items when on sale.
On top of that, one in 10 UK households are now skipping meals and one in seven are going without some foods. » | Claudia Efemeni | Thursday, April 30, 2026
Three million UK households are being forced to skip meals as consumers resort to drastic measures to deal with rising costs, according to a Which? report published on Thursday.
The conflict in the Middle East and subsequent surge in oil and raw material prices has led to businesses preparing to raise prices, putting more pressure on household finances and hitting consumer confidence.
The Which? consumer insight tracker for the month to 10 April shows a fall in consumer confidence to -62. This is the lowest level since the peak of the cost of living crisis in 2022 and down from -56 the previous month.
Most adults – 71% – believe the UK economy will deteriorate in the next 12 months, with only 9% predicting it will get better. And 85% are now worried about food prices, up from 83% in February.
To manage rising costs, families are compromising on their shopping and eating habits, with 43% buying cheaper products, 37% purchasing more supermarket-branded budget items and 31% buying extra items when on sale.
On top of that, one in 10 UK households are now skipping meals and one in seven are going without some foods. » | Claudia Efemeni | Thursday, April 30, 2026
April 29, 2026
Venezuela Without Maduro | ARTE.tv Documentary
Apr 28, 2026 | Three months after Nicolás Maduro's kidnapping by US special forces, Venezuelan civil society is reawakening and challenging the regime openly. Demonstrators are criticising the government and demanding the release of political prisoners, and oil industry trade unions want to see change.
Venezuela Without Maduro | ARTE.tv Documentary Available until: 24/03/2029
Venezuela Without Maduro | ARTE.tv Documentary Available until: 24/03/2029
La guerre au Moyen-Orient risque de jeter plus de 30 millions de personnes dans la pauvreté
LE FIGARO : Le conflit va tout particulièrement affecter « l’Afrique subsaharienne et certains pays en Asie », ou encore «les petites îles en développement». Les populations vont souffrir des « coûts d’énergie, du manque d’engrais, ce qui va avoir un impact énorme dans les mois à venir ».
Le conflit en Iran, en provoquant une flambée des prix de l'énergie, menace de jeter plus de 30 millions de personnes dans la pauvreté à travers le monde, a souligné mercredi 29 avril l'administrateur du Programme des Nations unies pour le développement (PNUD), Alexander De Croo.
« Nous avons fait une étude après six semaines de guerre et notre estimation était que, même si la guerre s'arrêtait à ce moment-là, une population de 32 millions sera poussée dans la précarité dans 160 pays », a-t-il fait valoir en marge du G7 développement à Paris. « C'est le développement en marche arrière », a-t-il déploré. « Cela prend des décennies pour construire des sociétés stables, pour développer une économie locale, ça prend une guerre de quelques semaines pour détruire ça ». » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 29 avril 2026
Le conflit en Iran, en provoquant une flambée des prix de l'énergie, menace de jeter plus de 30 millions de personnes dans la pauvreté à travers le monde, a souligné mercredi 29 avril l'administrateur du Programme des Nations unies pour le développement (PNUD), Alexander De Croo.
« Nous avons fait une étude après six semaines de guerre et notre estimation était que, même si la guerre s'arrêtait à ce moment-là, une population de 32 millions sera poussée dans la précarité dans 160 pays », a-t-il fait valoir en marge du G7 développement à Paris. « C'est le développement en marche arrière », a-t-il déploré. « Cela prend des décennies pour construire des sociétés stables, pour développer une économie locale, ça prend une guerre de quelques semaines pour détruire ça ». » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 29 avril 2026
Steve Rosenberg: Stalin Rehabilitated, NATO 'Fragmented': What Today's Russian Papers Are Saying.
April 28, 2026
Canada Setting Up Investment Fund to Distance Economy From U.S.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The sovereign wealth fund announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney will be far smaller than ones in other oil producers like Norway and the Middle East.
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada said Monday that his country would establish a pool of money similar to those used by major oil exporters like Norway to make investments as he seeks to make the Canadian economy less dependent on the United States.
Known as a sovereign wealth fund, it will focus on investments in Canadian infrastructure and will be operated like a private company. Canadians will also be able to invest in the fund.
Sovereign wealth funds are large pots of investment money that are generally managed independently, though they sometimes receive broad direction from governments about where they can put their funds.
In creating one of it own, Canada is following the lead of other countries, among them oil-rich nations in the Middle Eastern.
“This will be a Government of Canada fund, but more importantly, it will be a people’s fund, it will be your fund,” Mr. Carney told reporters in Ottawa. “Many countries that are blessed with natural resources, like Norway, have them. Canada has not until now.” » | Ian Austen | Reporting from the steam locomotive hall at a science and technology museum in Ottawa where Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke.| Monday, April 27, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada said Monday that his country would establish a pool of money similar to those used by major oil exporters like Norway to make investments as he seeks to make the Canadian economy less dependent on the United States.
Known as a sovereign wealth fund, it will focus on investments in Canadian infrastructure and will be operated like a private company. Canadians will also be able to invest in the fund.
Sovereign wealth funds are large pots of investment money that are generally managed independently, though they sometimes receive broad direction from governments about where they can put their funds.
In creating one of it own, Canada is following the lead of other countries, among them oil-rich nations in the Middle Eastern.
“This will be a Government of Canada fund, but more importantly, it will be a people’s fund, it will be your fund,” Mr. Carney told reporters in Ottawa. “Many countries that are blessed with natural resources, like Norway, have them. Canada has not until now.” » | Ian Austen | Reporting from the steam locomotive hall at a science and technology museum in Ottawa where Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke.| Monday, April 27, 2026
Steve Rosenberg: Reading Vladimir Putin.
April 27, 2026
Jared Yates Sexton on the Worldwide Energy Crisis Caused by Trump’s Wars on Iran (and the Pope)
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
Richard Wolff: Petrodollar Decline Unravels the US Empire
April 26, 2026
Starving to Pay Rent: The Brutal Reality of the Cost of Living Crisis | 60 Minutes Australia
April 25, 2026
Michael Hudson: Iran War Ignites Global Financial Armageddon
Si le blocage d’Ormuz « perdure encore deux ou trois mois », la France entrera « dans une ère de pénurie énergétique », prévient le patron de TotalEnergies
LE FIGARO : Le patron de TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanné, appelle à renforcer la « résilience » des chaînes d’approvisionnement énergétique face aux tensions dans le détroit d’Ormuz, en plaidant notamment pour de nouveaux investissements dans les infrastructures de transport, dont des oléoducs.
Le patron de TotalEnergies Patrick Pouyanné a appelé vendredi à la « résilience » face au blocage du détroit d'Ormuz, évoquant des investissements « probablement dans de nouveaux pipelines » afin de réduire la dépendance à ce passage maritime stratégique. Affirmant qu'il sera difficile de se passer du pétrole issu du Golfe, « très bon marché », Patrick Pouyanné a plaidé pour l'émergence d'alternatives au détroit d'Ormuz. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 25 avril 2026
Le patron de TotalEnergies Patrick Pouyanné a appelé vendredi à la « résilience » face au blocage du détroit d'Ormuz, évoquant des investissements « probablement dans de nouveaux pipelines » afin de réduire la dépendance à ce passage maritime stratégique. Affirmant qu'il sera difficile de se passer du pétrole issu du Golfe, « très bon marché », Patrick Pouyanné a plaidé pour l'émergence d'alternatives au détroit d'Ormuz. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 25 avril 2026
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