Author: Rachel Maddow

Reducing Barriers and Boosting Trade President Donald Trump said Monday he plans to lower tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18% after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly agreed to reduce India’s reliance on Russian oil. Trump also stated that India would begin eliminating import taxes on U.S. products entirely and purchase $500 billion in American goods. The announcement highlights Trump’s ongoing focus on using trade policy to influence global energy markets. Modi responded positively on X, calling the tariff cut “delightful” and praising Trump’s “leadership as vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity,” while making no explicit mention of…

President Donald Trump announced that the United States has begun engaging with Cuban leaders, even as his administration intensifies pressure on the island by restricting critical oil supplies. Speaking to reporters Saturday night on his flight to Florida, Trump offered few details but said, “We’re starting to talk to Cuba.” Using Oil Cuts to Push Havana Trump indicated that recent US measures, including cutting off oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico, are meant to force Cuba to the negotiating table. He suggested that the economic squeeze would make the Cuban government more willing to engage with Washington. Earlier this month,…

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning to member countries, saying the organisation could run out of money as soon as July unless nations pay their dues in full and on time. The UN is facing severe budget pressures that threaten its ability to operate effectively. Unpaid Contributions Push UN Into Crisis Guterres said the UN’s financial difficulties stem from a combination of late and incomplete payments from member states. By the end of 2025, unpaid contributions totaled around $1.6 billion—more than double the amount from the previous year—even though over 150 countries had paid their dues.…

Hong Kong’s government has strongly condemned a ruling by Panama’s Supreme Court that invalidated a concession allowing CK Hutchison to operate key ports at both ends of the Panama Canal. The decision, which follows allegations of irregularities in a 25-year concession extension, has raised concerns about legal certainty and foreign business operations. Hong Kong Rejects the Court Decision In a statement on Friday, Hong Kong officials said they “firmly reject” the ruling and criticized the use of coercive or unreasonable measures in international trade that could harm legitimate business interests. The government emphasized that the decision threatens not only CK…

Postal loopholes let banned goods slip through Russian shipments of sanctioned goods are reportedly bypassing EU restrictions using a logistics hub near Berlin and international mail channels with lighter inspection, according to Bild. Test packages with GPS trackers passed through a warehouse near Berlin Brandenburg Airport and then traveled through Poland and Belarus to Moscow without being stopped. The operation allegedly uses Uzbekistan postal labels, though Germany does not authorize that service to operate domestically. International mail faces simpler customs checks than standard exports, allowing high-volume shipments to move quickly. The system is believed to be run by Dimitri V.,…

Economy Shows Strength, Rates on Pause The US Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to keep its key interest rate at around 3.6%, pausing after three cuts last year. Officials cited a stabilising job market and upgraded economic growth from “modest” to “solid.” With hiring holding steady and the economy expanding at a healthy pace, the Fed sees little urgency to reduce rates further for now. Inflation Still a Watchpoint Although many policymakers anticipate lowering borrowing costs later this year, they want to see inflation move closer to the Fed’s 2% target first. The central bank’s preferred inflation measure was 2.8% in…

Lawmakers Urge Action on Fusion Members of the European Parliament from the European People’s Party are pushing the EU to take nuclear fusion seriously as a future energy source. On Tuesday, they released a declaration calling for a “clear, predictable regulatory framework” that could attract private investment, given the high costs of developing fusion technology. MEPs stressed that Europe is at a turning point, with industrial capability and private funding converging to make fusion a real possibility. Bulgarian MEP Tsvetelina Penkova said it’s time to move beyond seeing fusion as just a research project, while German MEP Hildegard Bentele described…

Eight Nations Secure SAFE Funding The European Commission has approved defence investment plans from eight EU countries under its €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Finland will collectively access €74 billion in loans, with Poland requesting €43.7 billion alone. SAFE is part of the EU’s broader Readiness 2030 initiative, which aims to channel hundreds of billions of euros into defence by the end of the decade. The programme responds to growing concerns that Russia could target another European nation in the near future. This approval follows a first round in…

The World Bank Group has opened its first office in Doha, marking a new chapter in its relationship with Qatar and underscoring the country’s growing role in global development and finance. The office was officially inaugurated on Sunday and is expected to deepen cooperation between the World Bank Group and Qatari institutions, particularly in development finance, private investment and support for countries affected by fragility and conflict. It is based at the headquarters of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and operates in coordination with the Ministry of Finance. At the opening ceremony, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said…

Efforts to end Russia’s nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine continue with high-level talks in Abu Dhabi, involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the discussions will focus on the future of the eastern Donbas region, a key point of contention in any potential settlement. Zelenskyy Stresses Urgency and Communication Speaking on social media, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian negotiators are providing updates almost hourly, highlighting the rarity and significance of trilateral meetings. “By now, they should already have at least some answers from Russia,” he said. Zelenskyy added that the crucial factor is Moscow’s readiness to end…