As Iran proxies activate in Yemen and Iraq, Trump’s Mideast morass deepens
Two of the most important corridors for international energy shipments are blocked by Iran and its proxies, oil prices are up and the global economy is reeling.
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Two of the most important corridors for international energy shipments are blocked by Iran and its proxies, oil prices are up and the global economy is reeling.
Lutnick said $500bn of estimated $1tn needed to fund checks to all US adults could come from new visa programDonald Trump’s controversial proposal to give a $5,000 “dividend” to all US adults if Republicans maintain control of Congress in November’s elections would not be paid out from US tax revenues, according to the US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick.“It’s not tax money,” Lutnick said in an interview with NBC News, adding that the administration could “earn the money that Donald Trump wants to pay out, not from the deficit and not from taxpayers”. Continue reading...
Most battery cells currently rely on raw materials from China. GM is seeking to establish domestic supply chains both for EVs and energy storage.
DUBLIN, Sept 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran was probably responsible for an aerial attack on Saudi Arabia that shut down its East-West pipeline, one of the kingdom's main routes for exporting crude while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz."I think they are, probably they are," Trump told reporters in Dublin when asked if Iran was responsible for the attack on the vital oil conduit.The U.S. president also said that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he described as a "good friend."
Republican candidates in some of the nation’s most competitive races are treading carefully as local industries brace for President Trump’s tariffs.
Gas prices are high, mortgage rates are climbing and inflation remains well above target, complicating the president’s midterm appeal.
US president will hold talks with Ireland’s leftwing president Catherine Connolly, and play golfDonald Trump has touched down in Dublin this morning for a two-day visit to Ireland, where he will hold talks with the Irish president and prime minister, and play golf.The weekend visit coincides with the Irish Open, a major golf tournament taking place at the beachfront Doonberg golf course owned by the US president.Many in Ireland are rooting for Connolly to let rip at Trump for his policies and rhetoric on immigrants and the Middle East. Others hope she will stifle any criticisms to avoid provoking a visitor who could upend Ireland’s economy.” Continue reading...
Steve Bloomfield | This week’s move suggests that, even in the age of Trump, Britain will once again have an ‘ethical dimension’ to its foreign policy. That’s good for the world Almost 30 years ago, the Labour titan Robin Cook announced his arrival at the Foreign Office by laying out what would become described as an “ethical foreign policy”. The UK, he said, “must support the demands of other peoples for the democratic rights on which we insist for ourselves”. Human rights would be “at the heart of our foreign policy”.In the 25 years since Cook was demoted, Britain has had a further 14 foreign secretaries – including seven in the past six years – few of whom can claim to have placed progressive ideals at the heart of their actions. Ed Miliband’s speech on Tuesday outlining the UK’s decision to impose economic sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank – and unveiling the international coalition he has built to support it – suggests that Cook may finally have a successor.Steve Bloomfield is the former international editor of the Observer and a previous winner of the Orwell prize Continue reading...
Canada’s buy-local movement remains strong, but new tariffs could test how much more shoppers are willing to pay.
Does he not understand, or does he just not care?
The record price of diesel threatens to stoke inflation at a time when consumers are already price-sensitive and businesses are reeling from higher costs due to trade tensions. Why it matters: Diesel is a key cost throughout the supply chain, meaning soaring prices could eventually show up in what consumers pay for everything from groceries to household goods.Driving the news: The national average price of a gallon of diesel topped $6 for the first time ever, AAA said Friday, Axios' Ben Berkowitz reports.That's up 60% from a year earlier.Between the lines: Food prices could be among the first places consumers feel the ripple effects, executives said this week.At grocery chain Kroger, which has been trying to keep a lid on prices: "I would expect that the pressure is actually going to mount," CEO Greg Foran said Friday on an earnings call.At pork producer Smithfield Foods: "That impact is beginning to flow through in the second half of the year," CFO Mark Hall said Thursday.At Hormel Foods: "With the Iran war and the spike in diesel costs, that's been something we've had to confront," interim CEO Jeffrey Ettinger said Wednesday.But the effects extend well beyond food.For example, at Newell Brands — whose portfolio includes Rubbermaid, Sharpie and Coleman — the inflationary impacts of energy costs have far exceeded the company's initial estimates."It's either resin, which is obviously dependent on the price of oil, or it is direct transportation costs, i.e., diesel," CFO Mark Erceg said Tuesday.The big picture: Energy prices have spiked since President Trump launched the war with Iran, which prompted the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane.The latest Energy Information Administration outlook expects retail diesel to average $4.40 a gallon in 2027, up 33 cents, or 8.2%, from its previous forecast of $4.07, Axios' Rebecca Falconer and Ben Geman reported.The average price of unleaded gasoline has also spiked, rising by $1.11 over the last year to $4.30 per gallon as of Friday, according to AAA.By the numbers: 47 of the 50 states have experienced an increase in average diesel prices of more than $2 per gallon over the last year, according to GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan.The economy is facing an extra $300 million in diesel costs every 24 hours.California is poised to become the first state with average diesel prices above $8 — with many stations already above $9, according to GasBuddy.The bottom line: Record diesel prices are turning the energy shock into a broader cost shock for businesses and consumers.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Thursday that he hopes Republicans in the U.S. lose both the House and Senate in the upcoming midterm elections, according to reports.
Price for the crop dropped dramatically this summer after the cyclospora outbreak caused demand to wiltAt the Republicans’ midterm convention held earlier this week, Donald Trump said that “food prices and almost every other item are rapidly going down”. Fresh inflation data on Friday told a different story – but in one specific case, costs have been chopped.The price of lettuce dropped dramatically this summer after the cyclospora outbreak caused demand to wilt, with prices dropping even further in August, according to new data released on Friday. Continue reading...
We are seeking readers who can help us understand how the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to immigration policy are affecting businesses, workers and the economy.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has suggested the giveaway could be "structured as a tax refund" for working Americans.
First Thing | Commemoration ceremonies to be held around the world for the nearly 3,000 killed in 2001 terror attack on US. Plus, JD Vance sets out his stall as heir to Donald TrumpGood morning. It is a sombre day for the nation as people gather to mourn and remember the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks on September 11 2001, when 19 al-Qaida hijackers seized control of four airliners, slamming two of the planes into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the fourth into a field in western Pennsylvania.We have comprehensive coverage of the anniversary, which will be marked by ceremonies around the world. There are stories of the day from people who were there. Stanley Praimnath and Brian Clark were two of only four individuals known to have survived above the impact zone in the south tower, and they spoke to our Washington bureau chief David Smith. Anna Sweeney Rossman was five when her mother, Amy Sweeney, a flight attendant, was killed onboard American Airlines flight 11, and she spoke to Ramon Antonio Vargas about how the events of that day have cast a shadow on her life.Donald Trump’s promise of a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for every US citizen if Republicans retain control of the US Congress in November’s midterm elections has sparked incredulity and accusations of bribery.With his approval rating at a historic low, Trump brought down the curtain on the Republicans’ first ever midterm convention by pleading with supporters to do him “the biggest favor” and “pretend” they are voting for him in November’s US elections.JD Vance, meanwhile, made a clear pitch that he should be the heir to Trump with a blistering speech that featured exaggerated claims of success, criticism of the Democrats as “lunatics” and an aggressive dismissal of a protester waving a Mexican flag.A US appeals court has rejected Trump’s attempt to impose sweeping restrictions on mail-in voting before November’s high-stakes midterm elections, dealing a fresh blow to the president’s attempted crackdown.Anthropic has detailed efforts by bad actors to misuse its AI for the production of bioweapons. More researchers and staff members at the AI startup have posted their own dire warnings about the safety of the technology, but Elon Musk called the chorus of concerns a “setup” and a “psyop”.California has adopted what Gavin Newsom described as “nation-leading” legislation that bans addictive social media features for young users, regulates companion chatbots and implements new safeguards around AI.Sales of previously occupied US homes declined in August to their slowest annual pace in more than a year as home shoppers grappled with rising mortgage rates and home prices. Continue reading...
Online media stars eager to promote President Trump and Republicans worked to find a message that would resonate with an audience that is struggling with an affordability crisis.
The two-day retreat comes as U.S. President Donald Trump ratchets up an ongoing trade war by moving to ban some Canadian imports, including alcohol and some dairy products.
In recent weeks, the United States has succeeded in loosening Iran's grip over the Strait of Hormuz while virtually shutting down Iran's own oil exports, accelerating its economic free fall. But the war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February — intended to last a few weeks — is still far from over, and the stalemate is costly for both sides. An agreement reached in June quickly crumbled , with no sign of diplomatic progress since then. Low-level fighting persists, and the U.S. does not seem to have an exit strategy. The mounting economic pressure on Iran has yet to stoke an uprising, and if its leaders are backed into a corner, they may opt for military escalation rather than capitulation. Their Houthi allies in Yemen have meanwhile stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia , helping to push oil prices back up. The price of a barrel of Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged above $100 this week, and diesel — heavily used in transport and farming — hit a record, potentially stoking inflation. U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that gas prices are likely to stay h
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he hopes Republicans lose the House and Senate in the midterms to hold President Donald Trump accountable for the trade war with Canada.
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Trump's proposed $5,000 national dividend could add pressure to an already strained bond market.
DALLAS — Support for President Trump is dropping among millennials and Gen Zers — particularly young men. Vice President Vance is in charge of getting them back in the midterms.Why it matters: The 42-year-old Vance, the first millennial VP, capped off the GOP's two-day convention here with a direct appeal to families with young children that emphasized the "birthright" of U.S. citizens.Vance also sought to cast Democrats as anti-American, anti-family "crazies.""America belongs to those who love it. Not those who hate it," he said.Zoom in: Support for Republicans is slipping across all age brackets, but the disapproval among millennials and young men is an acute concern for Trump's political operation because they were crucial to his 2024 victory.Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are the largest generation in America.They're also the cohort with the largest number of school-age kids — and particularly feel the bite of higher food and gas prices, driving forces behind Trump's low poll numbers.In his 41-minute speech, Vance established his millennial bona fides by mentioning that he's now the father of four young children who share in the "birthright ... to inherit the blessings of the greatest country on Earth."Vance's speech fell on the one-year anniversary of the assassination of his friend and ally, MAGA activist Charlie Kirk, who was 31 when he was shot during an appearance at a Utah college."Charlie spoke to young men in particular," Vance said. "He understood that there was no greater calling for a young man ... than falling in love, starting a family and becoming a father."In contrast, Vance pointed to the now-deleted social media posts of a Michigan Democratic congressional candidate, William Lawrence, who once posted "fuck ... the nuclear family." Vance also attacked Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico and suggested he was too obsessed with transgender kids: "I never want to see that guy's web browser history."The vice president also took umbrage with Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed for suggesting that Vance's now-deceased grandfather wouldn't have loved the vice president's wife, Usha, because she is of Indian heritage. In the midst of accusing the left of opposing the "birthright" of American children, Vance was interrupted by a demonstrator waving a Mexican flag in the American Airlines Arena."Well, my friend, if you love Mexico so much, get your ass over there. I'll buy you the plane ticket," Vance said to the loudest cheers of the night for him.Behind the scenes: Earlier in the day, Vance addressed a closed-door room of Republicans and emphasized the need to talk up the administration's record on lowering costs for prescription drugs — and to attack Democrats."We have to remind the American people of all the good things that we're doing. And number two, we have to remind the American people of how effing crazy the Democrats have become over the past couple of years," Vance said.Friction point: Vance obliquely touched on the major source of the administration's unpopularity — Trump's war in Iran and the high prices it's caused — and asked undecided and unsure voters to overlook it."I'm asking you to do what Charlie did: Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater."Meanwhile, oil prices rose this week to more than $100 a barrel, and diesel in some California gas stations is almost $10 a gallon.Mortgage rates are rising and the administration's efforts to stop the jumps have proven feckless so far.And on Thursday, Houthi rebels in Yemen were closing in on a strategic Red Sea port that could threaten more oil tankers and cause oil prices to skyrocket even more.The other side: Democrats and other critics say the administration's policies, from cutting Medicaid to gutting other programs for kids, are anti-family.The big picture: The Dallas convention was all about Trump, not Vance. And it was about the upcoming Nov. 3 elections — not the passing of a torch, which Trump is loath to talk about as he nears his final two years in the White House.Vance officially hasn't decided whether he'll run for president in 2028, but few insiders believe he won't. "The president will hand over the keys to JD on Inauguration Day, but it's not a topic of discussion," one Trump adviser said. "This about winning this November."What's next: Vance and Trump plan to hit the campaign trail to support as many as 35 congressional candidates and a dozen Senate campaigns."I'm going to go to every one of those states for congressmen and for senators," Trump said Wednesday night. "And we're going to have rallies just like this."Between the lines: Vance is younger than any member of Trump's Cabinet, the freshest face in an administration led by the oldest person ever elected to the presidency — Trump, an 80-year-old Baby Boomer."The dynamic you're seeing play out in the administration between the young millennial leader and the boomer is happening in corporate boardrooms across America," an administration political adviser said."JD is uniquely qualified to talk to parents with young families. He's one of them, so this is only the start."
President Trump's tariff standoff with Canada is rankling some key voters ahead of this year's midterm elections.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) called President Trump twice Thursday, urging him to launch strikes against the Houthis as the Iran-backed group closed in on a vital Red Sea chokepoint, two U.S. officials told Axios.Trump declined, and U.S. officials stressed the administration has no plans to intervene directly against the Houthis for now.Why it matters: Oil prices surged Thursday as the Houthis seized a strategic coastal city in Yemen, pushing them closer to the Bab al-Mandab Strait — a vital artery for global trade and Saudi oil exports.With Iran already disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi control of Bab al-Mandab could give Tehran a powerful new point of leverage over the U.S. and its Gulf allies.Driving the news: The U.S. is concerned about the rapidly escalating fight in Yemen and is stepping up support for Saudi Arabia while trying to avoid direct military involvement.Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination meetings, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.The Saudi embassy in Washington and the White House declined to comment. Catch up quick: The Saudi-Houthi confrontation reignited in July after Riyadh prevented an Iranian plane carrying senior Houthi officials home from the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei from landing in Sanaa.MBS asked Trump for political backing to strike the Sanaa airport, but made clear Saudi Arabia did not need U.S. military assistance. Trump gave him his support.The Houthis retaliated by attacking Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, threatening a crucial route for the kingdom's oil exports, and later expanded their attacks to Saudi energy facilities.Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies responded with airstrikes and ground offensives against Houthi positions.Behind the scenes: Saudi Arabia's request for direct U.S. military action marks a sharp reversal from July, when Riyadh told Washington it could handle the Houthis on its own.As the fighting intensified, however, the Saudis began seeking increasing levels of U.S. support.U.S. military and civilian officials have told their Saudi counterparts in recent weeks that Trump's directive is to keep American forces focused on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz — and avoid opening another front, sources familiar with the discussions said.On Thursday, as Houthi forces advanced on the coastal city of Mokha and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces retreated, MBS called Trump to brief him on the deteriorating situation, U.S. officials said.Several hours later, MBS called again and urged Trump to order U.S. strikes against the Houthis.Trump declined, but a U.S. official said the administration will provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence on the Houthis and targeting data.Roughly 200 U.S. military personnel are already in Saudi Arabia providing non-kinetic support, the official said.What they're saying: A senior Trump administration official signaled that Washington's priority is keeping the Red Sea open while leaving the broader fight to its regional partners."The United States is focused on protecting our core national security interests — such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea — while empowering our regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges," the official said."We are in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen Government regarding regional stability."