Top World News
Trump 'secretly' signs order deploying military against cartels: NYT's Maggie Haberman
President Donald Trump said during his 2024 campaign that he wanted to bomb the drug cartels in Mexico, which he links to the high rate of opioid addiction in the U.S. Now, he has secretly moved to deploy soldiers to begin an all-out war with the cartels. The New York Times reported Friday that a directive was secretly signed for the Pentagon to target certain Latin American cartels that he decided in January to label terrorist organizations. The Times called it "the most aggressive step so far in the administration's escalating campaign against the cartels." Thus far, Trump has targeted the countries of origin, demanding that Mexico and Canada, for example, take steps to stop the flood of opioids (particularly fentanyl) coming over the border. A very small percentage comes from Canada, but Trump continued to demand that they take additional steps. The order provides details indicating that the military could deploy soldiers to war on both land and sea. Those familiar with the conversations told the Times, "U.S. military officials have started drawing up options for how the military could go after the groups."One concern remains the legal problems it could cause for soldiers. Constitutionally, Congress is the only branch that can declare war. So, if U.S. forces kill someone in a conflict that Congress hasn't approved, could it be considered "murder?"The Times said they didn't know where the respective departments were on the matter and, in particular, whether the Department of Justice had penned any options to fight a case over the matter in court. Trump has specifically targeted Tren de Aragua and MS-13, gangs from Venezuela and Mexico. It isn't clear whether Trump will be sending soldiers to invade either country.Read the full report right here.
'Extremely regrettable': Trump admin confesses to major 'blunder' in new deal with Japan
In its haste to impose sweeping tariffs on countries the world over, the Trump administration is now admitting to making an "extremely regrettable” blunder after having accidentally double tariffs on certain products for Japan, and is now vowing to correct the matter, The New York Times reported Friday.“Washington is just randomly shooting and they are shooting some like-minded countries from behind,” said Japanese lawmaker Taro Kono this week during a press conference.President Donald Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs went into effect Thursday, including tariffs on Japan, one of the United States’ largest trading partners. However, due to the way Trump’s executive order implementing the tariffs was written, a handful of products saw new tariff rates stacked on top of existing ones, instead of modified, such as beef imports from Japan, rising from 26.4% to 41.4%.Trump has singled out Japan for its trade relationship with the United States several times in recent months, calling the country “spoiled” for not importing American-made rice, and for not purchasing American-made vehicles, complaints economists have ridiculed the president over for demonstrating a lack of understanding on basic economics.The latest trade blunder with Japan, The New York Times reporter River Davis argued, was just the latest example of the shoddy implementation of the sweeping tariffs, which continues to heighten tensions between the United States and its trading partners.“This latest development is another example of how a deal with no publicly disclosed written joint agreement – assembled quickly just days before higher threatened tariffs were set to take effect – is causing confusion and growing tension between the United States and one of its top allies and trading partners,” Davis wrote.Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief trade negotiator, said on Thursday that he had requested of the Trump administration a correction to the White House’s tariff blunders, but added that he had not been given a timeline for the correction, and was only told that the errors would be corrected in a “timely” manner, The New York Times reported.
Scott Bessent cornered on MSNBC after making admission about 'who pays' tariffs
Toward the end of an extensive interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, MSNBC's Eugene Robinson was afforded an opportunity to question the Donald Trump official and put him on the spot over the tariffs that went into effect at midnight.After making a pitch to co-host Joe Scarborough that the tariffs should soon increase employment numbers, Robinson asked Bessent, "Mr. Secretary, there's one question I've got to ask you, because there has been some confusion. So we've got a tariff of, what, 50 percent on Brazil now, I think. And so if someone here, an importer wants to buy Brazilian products today or tomorrow and import them, they're going to pay 50 percent to the Treasury. And so who writes that check?""Well, it's a couple of things," the Trump Cabinet member replied. "First, we could have substitutions. So there's very little that only comes from Brazil, you know that it could it could come from Argentina. It could come from ––.""Right," Robinson interrupted. "But assuming it does come from Brazil, say, or it comes from any country with a tariff, who writes the check to the treasury?""Well, the check is written to the person who receives it at the dock in the U.S.," Bessent tentatively answered."Ummhmm, the check is written by the person who receives it at the dock. So tariff is paid in this country by the importer, is that right?" the smiling Robinson persisted."But the Brazilian exporter could decide that they want to keep market share," Bessent protested. "They could lower their price so that the full 50 percent of the tariff, say, and ––.""You're right, they can eat part of the cost," Robinson interjected."Which is what we've seen," Bessent offered."Okay, okay, but the check is written by the importer right at the dock?" Robinson asked once again."Yeah, and then, you know, the importer can pass it on or not," the Trump official blandly suggested.You can watch below or at the link right here. - YouTube youtu.be
Millionaire gored to death by 'crafty and belligerent' African buffalo he was hunting
A millionaire rancher was gored to death by a buffalo while hunting on a big game safari in South Africa.Ranch trader Asher Watkins was killed when the 1.3-ton Cape buffalo he was tracking charged from the brush and struck him, killing the 52-year-old hunter almost instantly, reported LBC.“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA," said Hans Vermaak, on behalf of CV Safaris, which organized the expedition. “On Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in South Africa's Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo. He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones."The company warns on its website that "no species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation than a Cape buffalo," which locals refer to as the "Black Death" due to their reputation for causing around 200 deaths a year and killing more game hunters than lions, rhinos or crocodiles.“The buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa," CV Safaris says on its website. "Buffalo hunting is thrilling and exhilarating and at the top of every hunter's wish list. Crafty and belligerent, he seeks refuge in thickets when wounded or when danger approaches. Buffalo are known to charge unprovoked so prepare for the worst."“Buffalo have earned their reputation and can absorb astounding amounts of lead even when shots are well placed and a charging buffalo comes at an alarming speed," the website adds. "Cool nerves and a steady hand are crucial.”The buffaloes can weigh up to 1.5 tons and stand about 5 and a half feet tall, with horns that are joined by a solid lump of bone across the forehead, and the massive animals are unpredictable and aggressive, and their only predators are humans and lions.“On an African safari with his beloved mother, brother and stepdad, Asher came face to face with one of Africa's legendary buffalo," said friend Shannon Wherry on social media. “In a moment of fearlessness as he lived his life, he met the challenge head-on, leaving this world a man of courage, faith and adventure."Watkins is survived by a daughter and ex-wife.
'Terrible': Trump's new idea leveled as analysis warns of looming 'accelerated' decline
President Donald Trump's idea to have tourists post bonds for their visit to the United States received sharp criticism from an analyst on Tuesday. Trump's idea would require visa applicants to post a bond between $5,000 and $15,000 as part of their application. Tourists from countries with "high overstay rates" would be required to pay more than tourists from wealthier European countries, The Associated Press reported. Zeeshan Aleem, an opinion writer for MSNBC Daily, wrote in a new op-ed that the idea would be a "loss for potential visitors and the U.S." "It's a terrible idea that could further accelerate the already sharp decline in tourism to the U.S.— and hurt an economy showing warning signs of a potential recession," Aleem wrote.Trump's policies have been a major factor in the decline of tourism in the United States, according to multiple reports. Forbes estimates that the United States will lose up to $29 billion in revenue from lost tourism. America was also the only country to have a decline in international travelers year-over-year, Forbes reported.As Aleem noted, Trump's visa bond idea could further disincentivize people from traveling to the United States."Even if one gets the money back upon departure, the bond amount is likely to be prohibitive for huge shares of the people who come from countries that tend to skew low-income," he wrote. "Rather than find a way to come up with the money, some will undoubtedly be discouraged and opt to travel elsewhere."Read the entire op-ed by clicking here.
Soccer Legend Pelé Has Died At Age 82
The Brazilian “King of Football” had been treated for colon cancer since 2021.View Entire Post ›
Mar 17, 2023
Vladimir Putin Is Officially A Wanted Man
A Nightmarish New Report Has Detailed Russia’s War Crimes In Ukraine
A new UN-backed report released Thursday found Russia has committed war crimes and likely crimes against humanity during its yearlong invasion of Ukraine.View Entire Post ›
“He Never Left The Hand Of His Daughter Who Died In The Earthquake”
More than 20,000 people are now known to have been killed in the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, making it one of the deadliest disasters in a decade.View Entire Post ›
An Iranian Couple Has Reportedly Been Sentenced To Over 10 Years In Prison After Posting A Video Dancing On Instagram
The fashion and lifestyle influencers have nearly 1 million followers each. Iranian's state media disputed the length of their reported prison sentence.View Entire Post ›
The Piper Who Played Each Morning For The Queen Had A Symbolic Role At Her Funeral
As something of an alarm clock, the piper would play at 9 a.m. for 15 minutes for the monarch wherever she was in residence.View Entire Post ›
“We Lost Our Beloved Ones For The Sake Of Education”: An Afghan Girl Who Survived A Suicide Attack In Her Classroom Isn’t Backing Down
“I want to tell the terrorists that no matter how much oppression you would impose on us, you can't defeat us!” she told BuzzFeed News.View Entire Post ›
Pope Benedict XVI Has Died At 95
Benedict was the first pontiff since the 13th century to relinquish the papacy without external pressure.View Entire Post ›
