Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
In just 100 days, President Trump has delivered major victories addressing the crisis at the southern border, removing violent criminal illegal aliens from American communities, and stopping the flow of illicit drugs into our homeland. He’s accomplished more in 100 days than most presidents achieve in an entire term.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Ms. Sara Olsvig, International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, talks about critical issues surrounding the Inuit in the Arctic, including her native Greenland. She acted as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals in 2024 and is a speaker for the thematic dialogue on the financing of Indigenous Peoples’ work and participation, with a focus on critical minerals, during the 24th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (21 April – 2 May 2025).
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
A Veteran shares his experience with a spinal cord injury and how VA helped him achieve his goals.
For more information about spinal cord injury, please visit: https://www.sci.va.gov/
#spinalcordinjury
#Veterans
#disability
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
India/Pakistan
Security Council
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Secretary-General/Syria
Lebanon
General Assembly/Pope
Security Council/Ukraine
Afghanistan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Haiti
Locusts
Noon Briefing Guest
Financial Contribution
INDIA/PAKISTAN
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke separately by telephone with Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and he also spoke earlier in the day with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Minister for External Affairs of the Republic of India. In his phone calls, the Secretary-General reiterated his strong condemnation of the 22 April terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir. The Secretary-General noted the importance of pursuing justice and accountability for these attacks through lawful means.
The Secretary-General also expressed his deep concern at the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and he also underscored the need to avoid a confrontation that could result in tragic consequences.
The Secretary-General offered his Good Offices to support any de-escalation efforts.
SECURITY COUNCIL
The Secretary-General, in a briefing to the Security Council this morning on Israel and Palestine, said that the promise of a two-State solution is at risk of dwindling to the point of disappearance. The political commitment to this long-standing goal is farther than it has ever been, he said.
The world cannot afford to watch the two-State solution disappear, heasserted. Political leaders face clear choices — the choice to be silent, the choice to acquiesce, or the choice is to act.
Regarding Gaza, Mr. Guterres said that the recent ceasefire had brought a glimmer of hope – the long-sought release of hostages and the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian relief. But those embers of opportunity were cruelly extinguished with the shattering of the ceasefire on 18 March.
The Secretary-General said that he was alarmed by statements by Israeli government officials about the use of humanitarian aid as a tool for military pressure. Aid is non-negotiable, he said. Israel must protect civilians and must agree to relief schemes and facilitate them, he said.
The Secretary-General told the Council that there must be no hindrance to humanitarian aid – including through the vital work of UNRWA. We need the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and we need a permanent ceasefire.
Mr. Guterres added that it’s time to stop the repeated displacement of the Gaza population – along with any question of forced displacement outside of Gaza, and the trampling of international law must end.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=29%20April%202025
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) is making discoveries to improve Veteran health—like discovering that genetic risk scores developed for Parkinson’s Disease work across different ancestries. Help MVP make more discoveries for Veterans like you. To learn more or join today, visit https://www.mvp.va.gov or call 866-441-6075.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) is making discoveries to improve Veteran health—like identifying genetic factors linked to Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD), a vision disorder affecting the cornea, in different ancestries. Help MVP make more discoveries for Veterans like you. To learn more or join today, visit https://www.mvp.va.gov or call 866-441-6075.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Did you know that you can join VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) from the comfort of your own home? Watch this step-by-step tutorial on how you can join MVP today and help make a difference for Veterans like you. Visit https://www.mvp.va.gov to learn more.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) is making discoveries to improve Veteran health—like finding a genetic link to binge eating disorder in different ancestries. Help MVP make more discoveries for Veterans like you. To learn more or join today, visit https://www.mvp.va.gov or call 866-441-6075.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) is making discoveries to improve Veteran health—like identifying genetic factors that influence how people experience pain and potential ways for developing better treatments. Help MVP make more discoveries for Veterans like you. To learn more or join today, visit https://www.mvp.va.gov or call 866-441-6075.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) is making discoveries to improve Veteran health—like developing a genetic risk score for blood pressure in different ancestries. Help MVP make more discoveries for Veterans like you. To learn more or join today, visit https://www.mvp.va.gov or call 866-441-6075.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) is making health discoveries in areas that matter to Veterans—including mental health, PTSD, and more. Learn why removing barriers to mental health care is important for Veterans like Bryan B. Visit https://www.mvp.va.gov or call 866-441-6075 to learn more and join today.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Thanks to 1,000,000+ Veterans in the Million Veteran Program (MVP), VA researchers are helping to change the future of mental health care for all Veterans. Watch this video to hear personal stories and experiences from Veterans, and to learn how researchers are using MVP’s data to help advance mental health research. Visit https://www.mvp.va.gov or call 866-441-6075 to learn more today.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
We don’t want to Boa-re you with the details, but we’re positive that covering a Danger Noodle won’t make it go away.
Did you know that how and what you pack m-Adders and can greatly impact your checkpoint experience? Additionally, if our officers determine a carry-on item is knotty by nature, you may incur a delay checking, mailing, or returning the item to your vehicle before proceeding. Why risssk having to surrender items at the checkpoint if you don’t have to?
Do you have questions about upcoming travel? Don’t Ssssweep them under the rug. Asp our AskTSA Team instead! This team is viper-vigilant and prepared to answer even the scaliest questions from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, seven days a week. So Mamba over to our link in our bio for all of our Customer Support options, and make sure nothing comes back to bite you.
P.Sssss: In case you were wondering… Airlines don’t allow nope ropes in carry-on bags and only a few allow them to slither around in checked bags, if packaged properly.
Video by @inamarimaki
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
FIRST 100 DAYS IN 1 MINUTE
Here’s a glimpse of our immigration enforcement operations nationwide in the first 100 days of the administration.
“Make sure we clean up our streets and give the American people back their country” —@DHSgov Secretary Kristi Noem
It’s not easy, but we’re proud to enforce the nation’s laws to make us all safer.
Thank you for the tip line calls & supporting your local ICE officers & special agents!
866-DHS-2-ICE
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Delia Ramirez – Illinois (3rd District)
Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) slammed Republicans for seeking to infuse $69B – without conditions – into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Secretary Kristi Noem, and Donald Trump to fund their unconstitutional, anti-immigrant, authoritarian agenda. During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing to vote and amend a budget for DHS, Ramirez called for Noem to resign for the long list of unconstitutional, illegal, and inhumane activities the Department has committed under her leadership.
The budget, which is part of a Republican framework to cut over $1.5 trillion in federal programs to provide multi-trillion-dollar tax breaks for mega-corporations and billionaires, includes $46.5 billion for new border barriers and $5 billion for new Customs and Border Protection detention facilities.
Video of Ramirez’s remarks here:
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
“A few weeks ago, right from this dais, I talked about the hypocrisy of the Republican policies: gutting services working people rely on, while writing blank checks for their ultrawealthy bosses. Well, here we are again: Republicans are looking to cut $1.5 trillion in funding for our communities, but today we will consider a $69 billion infusion into an agency that is violating our rights, undermining due process, and blaming “administrative errors” for their criminal behavior. And this gift to Trump and Noem comes without oversight, which Republicans on this Committee have proven either unwilling or incapable of. Case in point, my request to conduct an oversight visit in El Salvador was publicly denied in the press, despite evidence that Noem spent $6 million in taxpayer dollars to disappear immigrants to a foreign prison without due process.
The Committee is considering this massive infusion of capital into the department without having held a single hearing with Secretary Noem – a request I have made several times to this body and make again today. Secretary Noem must come before this body and answer our questions about her Department’s unconstitutional, illegal, and inhumane activities. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to include in the record a letter requesting Noem to come before the committee to testify.
In case there is any question about what those unconstitutional, illegal, and inhumane activities are, let’s revisit some of them for the record!
Republicans are seeking to fund the wasteful spending of this Administration after Trump and Noem already wasted $300 million in 6 weeks to militarize the border.
The Administration says they are committed to “legal immigration” while they cruelly canceled the appointments of thousands of immigrants who legally sought asylum in our country.
Trump and Noem have denied children as young as 2-year-old their basic right to face immigration proceedings with a lawyer, including children going through cancer treatment.
Since January, Trump and Noem have used ICE to terrorize our communities, profiling Latinos and arresting U.S. citizens, like the man who was detained in Chicago after buying a slice of pizza despite carrying his ID and Social Security card, and the Puerto Rican veteran in New Jersey.
These are the same people who launched a $200M anti-immigrant ad campaign.
And then last month, in violation of court orders, Secretary Noem acted on the fascist dreams of her leader and sent immigrants to off-shore detention camps.
Noem wasted millions to fly immigrants *without* criminal records to Guantanamo.
And then she decided to enter into a $6 million deal with the El Salvador government to disappear and “mistakenly” deport a legal resident – Kilmar Abrego Garcia–, a hairdresser, soccer players, 8 women– to a men’s prison–, and a long list of immigrants without criminal records.
The list includes a young man from Chicago, whose family has no idea how to reach after recognizing him in an authoritarian propaganda video of Noem touring the prison.
All while Trump, Noem, and Rubio weaponize immigration enforcement against activist and dissenting voices, like legal permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil, international student Rumeysa Ozturk, and labor rights organizer Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez.
In three months, Trump and Noem have abused the power of the Department of Homeland Security to pursue a campaign of persecution, mass incarceration, and deportation. Day after day, Noem disregards the authority of Congress, the laws of the land, the constitutional rights of residents, the courts, due process, and every check and balance that protects us from fascist authoritarians.
There is NO WAY IN HELL that I am giving this administration one more dollar to violate our rights and criminalize our communities.
And further, Noem must resign from her position as Secretary of Homeland Security. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to include in the record a letter demanding Noem’s resignation as the Secretary of Homeland Security.
I yield back.”
For the full text of the letter demanding that Noem come to the committee, CLICK HERE.
For the full text of the letter demanding Noem’s resignation, CLICK HERE.
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Delia Ramirez – Illinois (3rd District)
Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), joined by Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35), reintroduced the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants, including those with federal vouchers, to organize. The landmark, progressive legislation has been expanded to protect tenants ‘ right to take legal action against landlords who oppose their organizing rights.
As tenant unions across the nation are changing the housing landscape, H.R. 3049, the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, aims to amplify their efforts by:
Currently, only public housing tenants have a legally recognized right to organize. By extending this right to HVC and LIHTC tenants, the bill acknowledges that all tenants deserve decent, safe, stable, and sanitary housing.
“Throughout our nation, tenants have recognized the power they wield when they come together. Tenant organizing is not only winning battles against unfair housing practices, unjustified evictions, housing discrimination, and uncontrolled price hikes; it is also changing housing public policy. Tenant organizing protects the right to safe, stable housing for thousands of families,” said Congresswoman Delia Ramirez. “With a worsening housing affordability and access crisis, all tenants must have the right to organize for safe, stable, equitable housing. I am honored to lead my friends and colleagues, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, and Rep. Greg Casar, in the introduction of the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, a historic measure to protect and expand the community power changing the landscape of housing for everyone.”
“Housing is a human right, and everyone deserves shelter that is safe, affordable, and properly maintained. Tenant organizations allow residents to protect their rights, hold their landlords accountable, and ensure that their basic needs are met. That’s why I’m proud to join Representatives Ramirez, Pressley, Gomez, and Casar in reintroducing this bill to ensure that Housing Choice Voucher and LIHTC tenants can organize without fear of retaliation or harassment. All renters, including those in federally assisted properties, deserve the right to organize and truly have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.
“As the daughter of a tenants’ rights organizer, I learned firsthand how essential it is that tenants be able to advocate for a safe and healthy place to call home,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “Our bill would protect and expand this right and enable tenants to hold landlords accountable and demand better living conditions. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues on a bill to affirm safe and stable housing as the human right that it is.”
“I founded the first-ever Congressional Renters Caucus because every person deserves a safe and affordable place to live,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “Our legislation helps advance that mission by protecting tenants from retaliation and ensuring they can organize and make their voices heard. I, along with Representatives Ramirez, Tlaib, Pressley, and Casar, will continue fighting to get this bill across the finish line.”
“Across our country, renters deserve the right to work together to ask for lower rent and fees,” said Congressman Greg Casar. “People shouldn’t have the police called on them, or be worried that their lease is going to be canceled, just because they’re coming together to collectively ask for improvements to their housing or lower rents. As an Austin City Council member, the final policy that I passed was to establish a right to organize for all tenants. Now, it’s time to begin extending that right nationwide.”
The bill has the endorsement of local and national organizations, like National Housing Law Project (NHLP), Leaders and Organizers for Tenant Empowerment (LOFTE) Network, Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Housing is a Human Right, the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, the George Wiley Center, Housing Action Illinois, the National Alliance of HUD Tenants, and Baltimore Renters United.
The full text of the legislation can be found HERE.
BACKGROUND:
The Tenants’ Right to Organize Act is a continuation of the housing work Congresswoman Ramirez championed during her time in the Illinois General Assembly. Her leadership resulted in passing housing legislation that expanded access and funding for Homeless Prevention and provided emergency housing assistance to renters and homeowners during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery period.
Ramirez’s multisectoral focus on housing responds to the current national housing crisis, worsened by Trump’s policies. According to the National Housing Coalition, there is a staggering 7.1 million shortage of affordable homes, with 293,000 homes needed just in Illinois. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates 771,480 people are experiencing street and shelter homelessness on any given day, setting new records. In addition, tens of thousands of Illinois families live doubled-up with family and friends. It is estimated that the expansion of tariffs on steel, aluminum, lumber, and other construction materials will increase the cost to build affordable, quality housing.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced legislation to increase veterans’ access to trucking apprenticeship programs with their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits by allowing the VA to approve programs operated by interstate commercial trucking companies. The bill would streamline the approval process and cut unnecessary red tape that makes it difficult for veterans to partake in apprenticeships that operate across multiple states.
“Veterans deserve support,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Many struggle to find work when they come home. Having a commercial driver’s license opens a lot of doors for them.”
Cassidy was joined by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in introducing the legislation. It is supported by a number of Veterans Service Organizations and stakeholders, including the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the American Trucking Association (ATA).
“Trucking apprenticeships offer meaningful employment and a fulfilling career pathway, and we owe it to our nation’s veterans to provide support as they seek next steps in their transition to civilian life. With the Veterans Transition to Trucking Act, we eliminate bureaucratic red tape hindering veterans from accessing trucking apprenticeships and ensure that veterans are able to access these programs through their VA education benefits. This commonsense legislation allows veterans to more easily access necessary training for a rewarding career when they return home,” said Senator Blumenthal.
“A successful transition from military service to civilian life is not complete until a veteran can find meaningful employment, and the American trucking industry offers a significant number of well-paying jobs that can utilize veterans’ skills and experiences. Unfortunately, veterans can sometimes face bureaucratic hurdles when attempting to use their earned education benefits for trucking apprenticeship programs. DAV is proud to support the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act of 2025, as it would help streamline that process for our nation’s heroes, and we appreciate Sens. Blumenthal and Cassidy for introducing this important legislation,” said DAV National Legislative Director Joy Ilem.
“Members of our military put their lives on the line to defend our nation and our freedom. When they return home, it is our responsibility to help them achieve the American Dream they fought to protect,” said ATA Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom. “By slashing bureaucratic red tape for VA education benefits, the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act would expand career paths in trucking and make it easier for veterans to find good-paying jobs behind the wheel. ATA commends Senators Cassidy and Blumenthal for their leadership on this bipartisan bill, and we look forward to working with them to enact their commonsense reform into law.”
Background
Trucking companies currently operating in more than one state must get approval from each state to allow veterans to use their VA education benefits for apprenticeship programs with their company. In some cases, these companies have opted out of offering apprenticeships for veterans due to the burdensome red tape required to get more than 20 different approvals. This bill would allow interstate commercial carriers to get one approval for their apprenticeship programs from the VA, making it easier for veterans to access trucking apprenticeship programs.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Meenakshi Dwaraka and Salome Castillo Valencia of Nashua as April’s Granite Staters of the Month. Meenakshi and Salome started a free coding class for local students.
Meenakshi and Salome, who are now both in high school, met in sixth grade and have both been interested in coding since they were young. Meenakshi was encouraged by her dad, who is a computer scientist, to develop digital skills, and found that she enjoyed competing in coding competitions. Salome learned how to build websites during the Covid-19 pandemic, and she even sells some of the websites that she creates. The girls noticed that there were not many opportunities to learn computer skills until high school, so they started a fee coding class for students in third grade through fifth grade.
Meenakshi and Salome teach the class at their local community center, and over the weeks attendance has grown. Students in the class learn block coding, basic robotics, and computer safety, giving students the opportunity to learn skills that will eventually help them compete in the 21st century economy. Meenakshi and Salome’s dedication to increasing access to computer skills is an excellent example of the Granite State spirit of sharing knowledge in order to empower others. Their commitment to helping students from all backgrounds prepare for the future – and have fun – is why Senator Hassan named them April’s Granite Staters of the Month.
Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.
To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.
I am honored to recognize Meenakshi Dwaraka and Salome Castillo Valencia of Nashua as April’s Granite Staters of the Month for their work to establish a free coding class for local elementary school students.
Both Meenakshi, 16, and Salome, 17, were interested in coding from a young age. Meenakshi’s dad, a computer scientist, first inspired her to develop digital skills, and she quickly realized that she enjoyed competing in coding competitions. Salome learned how to build websites and code during the Covid-19 pandemic, and has continued to improve her skills and even sell websites that she has created. The girls, who met in sixth grade, noticed that there were not many opportunities to learn computer skills until students entered high school, despite the increasing importance of the field. They decided to help fill this gap by starting a free coding class for students in third grade through fifth grade so that kids from all backgrounds could learn the basics of coding from a young age.
The class, which Meenakshi and Salome teach at their local community center in Nashua, has grown over the weeks. When they first started offering the class, they didn’t have very many students, but over time, they have seen an increase in attendance and interest. Students from different high schools in the area have also reached out to ask for help in starting their own classes and expanding the program. Students in the class learn block coding, basic robotics, and computer safety, giving students the opportunity to learn skills that will eventually help them compete in the 21st century economy.
Meenakshi and Salome’s dedication to increasing access to computer skills is an excellent example of the Granite State spirit of sharing knowledge in order to empower others. Their commitment to helping students from all backgrounds prepare for the future – and have fun– is why I am glad to name them April’s Granite Staters of the Month.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
WASHINGTON – Today, as the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions considered education legislation, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced and urged consideration of her amendment to overturn President Trump’s recent executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education. Every Republican member of the Committee voted to prevent consideration of the amendment.
“It is absurd that as we are talking about the important work that the Department of Education does in helping students pursue higher education, the President is working to entirely eliminate the Department of Education,” said Senator Hassan when introducing the amendment. “My amendment would prevent the President’s reckless and misguided assault on the Department of Education’s critical work to support students and schools across the country.”
Senator Hassan’s amendment would overturn President Trump’s Executive Order 14242, which the President issued to begin the process of abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. The Department of Education helps students in the Granite State and across the country learn, grow, and thrive. New Hampshire schools receive more than $51 million in federal Title 1 funding through the Department of Education – funding that helps New Hampshire schools hire teachers, provide tutoring services, offer career and technical education, and prevent class sizes from growing. Additionally, the Department of Education plays a critical role in helping to ensure that students experiencing disabilities are fully included in public schools. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Department of Education currently provides more than $57 million to New Hampshire schools through the IDEA Grants to States program to help fund the education of children ages three through 21. New Hampshire has 31,000 students with disabilities – reflecting 17% of New Hampshire’s student population.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kai He, Professor of International Relations, Griffith University
The United States and China remain in a standoff in their tariff war. Neither side appears willing to budge.
After US President Donald Trump imposed massive 145% tariffs on Chinese imports in early April, China retaliated with its own tariffs of 125% on US goods.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this week it’s up to China to de-escalate tensions. China’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said the two sides are not talking.
The prospect of economic decoupling between the world’s two largest economies is no longer speculative. It is becoming a hard reality. While many observers debate who might “win” the trade war, the more likely outcome is that everyone loses.
Trump’s protectionist agenda has spared few. Allies and adversaries alike have been targeted by sweeping US tariffs. However, China has served as the main target, absorbing the political backlash of broader frustrations over trade deficits and economic displacement in the US.
The economic costs to China are undeniable. The loss of reliable access to the US market, coupled with mounting uncertainty in the global trading system, has dealt a blow to China’s export-driven sectors.
China’s comparative advantage lies in its vast manufacturing base and tightly integrated supply chains. This is especially true in high-tech and green industries such as electric vehicles, batteries and solar energy. These sectors are deeply dependent on open markets and predictable demand.
New trade restrictions in Europe, Canada and the US on Chinese electric vehicles, in particular, have already caused demand to drop significantly.
China’s GDP growth was higher than expected in the first quarter of the year at 5.4%, but analysts expect the effect of the tariffs to soon bite. A key measure of factory activity this week showed a contraction in manufacturing.
China’s economic growth has also been weighed down by structural headwinds, including industrial overcapacity (when a country’s production of goods exceeds demand), an ageing population, rising youth unemployment and persistent regional disparities. The property sector — once a pillar of the country’s economic rise — has become a source of financial stress. Local government debt is mounting and a pension crisis is looming.
Negotiations with the US might be desirable to end the tariff war. However, unilateral concessions on Beijing’s part are neither viable nor politically palatable.
Trump’s tariff wars have done more than strain bilateral relationships; they have shaken the foundations of the global trading system.
By sidelining the World Trade Organization and embracing a transactional approach to bilateral trade, the US has weakened multilateral norms and emboldened protectionist tendencies worldwide.
One unintended consequence of this instability has been the resurgence of regional arrangements. In Asia, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), backed by China and centred on the ASEAN bloc in Southeast Asia, has emerged as a credible alternative for economic cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) continues to expand, with the United Kingdom joining late last year.
Across Latin America, too, regional blocs are exploring new avenues for integration, hoping to buffer themselves against the shocks of resurgent protectionism.
But regionalism is no panacea. It cannot replicate the scale or efficiency of global trade, nor can it restore the predictability on which exporters depend.
The greater danger is the world drifting into a Kindleberger Trap — a situation in which no power steps forward to provide the leadership necessary to sustain global public goods, or a stable trading system.
Economist Charles Kindleberger’s account of the Great Depression remains instructive: it was not the presence of conflict but the absence of leadership that brought about the global economy’s systemic collapse.
Without renewed global coordination, the economic fragmentation triggered by Trump’s tariff wars could give way to something far more dangerous than a recession – rising geopolitical and military tensions that no region can contain.
The political landscape is already fraught. The Chinese Communist Party, for instance, has long tethered its legitimacy to the promise of eventual unification with Taiwan. Yet the costs of using force remain prohibitively high.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent designation of China as a “foreign hostile force” have sharpened tensions. Beijing’s response has been calibrated – military exercises intended more as a warning than a prelude to conflict.
However, the intensifying trade war with the US may become the final straw that exhausts Beijing’s patience, leaving Taiwan as collateral damage in a US-China final showdown.
China alone is neither able nor inclined to assume the mantle of global leadership. Its current focus is more on domestic priorities – sustaining economic growth and managing social stability – than on foreign policy.
Yet, Beijing can still play a constructive role in shaping the international environment through its cooperation with Europe, ASEAN and the Global South.
The objective is not to replace American hegemony, but to support a more multi-polar and collaborative system — one capable of sustaining global public goods in an era of uncertainty.
Paradoxically, a more coordinated effort by the rest of the world may ultimately help bring the US back into the fold. Washington may rediscover the strategic value of engagement — and return not as the sole leader, but as an indispensable partner.
In the short term, other states may seek to gain an advantage from the great power standoff. But they should remember that what begins as a clash between giants can quickly engulf bystanders.
In this volatile landscape, the path forward does not lie in exploiting disorder. Rather, nations must cautiously advance the shared interest in restoring a stable, rules-based global order.
Kai He receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
– ref. The global costs of the US-China tariff war are mounting. And the worst may be yet to come – https://theconversation.com/the-global-costs-of-the-us-china-tariff-war-are-mounting-and-the-worst-may-be-yet-to-come-254583
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
“When President Trump nominated Pete Hegseth to serve as Secretary of the Department of Defense, he intentionally picked someone who understands what it means to fight for this country—not from behind a desk, but from the frontlines”
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) penned an op-ed in Breitbart defending the great work Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is doing at the Pentagon amid a flurry of attacks from the Mainstream Media. As Alabama’s representative on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Tuberville played a pivotal role in getting Secretary Hegseth confirmed and continues to support the Secretary’s work to refocus the Pentagon on lethality, not woke politics.
Read excerpts below or the full piece here.
“It’s no secret in Washington that the globalist Democrats and woke media are working together with one singular goal in mind: to take down Donald Trump and derail his America First agenda. The latest target? President Trump’s Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. I’m convinced that many Democrats would rather see America and its leaders fail than see this country succeed. It’s sad, but true.
When President Trump nominated Pete Hegseth to serve as Secretary of the Department of Defense (DOD), he intentionally picked someone who understands what it means to fight for this country—not from behind a desk, but from the frontlines. Pete didn’t inherit stars on his uniform. He earned his stripes in the Middle East. He’s one of the few in Washington who’s been in the fight and experienced the traumas of war. He knows firsthand what the warfighter goes through each and every day, which is why military recruiting has skyrocketed under his leadership.
Predictably, Democrats, the Swamp, and RINO Republicans immediately banded together in opposition to Hegseth’s nomination. I’m convinced that their only real opposition to Hegseth was because he was not a part of the Military Industrial Complex. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I enthusiastically supported Hegseth’s nomination because of his outsider status—and I’m continuing to fight for him today.
Unfortunately, the smears have only gotten worse since his confirmation. Globalists, the media, and some Republicans are working overtime to try to take Hegseth down. Their latest obsession are the various publicity stunts coming from several disgruntled former employees who were fired by Secretary Hegseth. It’s clear as day that these efforts to embarrass Hegseth are nothing more than desperate attempts to salvage reputations and distract from the successes he is already having at the Pentagon.
The truth is, Hegseth inherited a complete mess at DOD. The Pentagon has failed an audit seven years in a row. And thanks to the Biden administration’s horrible withdrawal from Afghanistan, our enemies were emboldened. Instead of working to deter World War III, however, Joe Biden’s Pentagon was more focused on social justice. In 2024 alone, the Biden Defense Department requested more than $114 million for DEI initiatives. Meanwhile, recruitment was at historic lows. Military readiness was slipping. And the world saw a weakened United States. […]
The Swamp doesn’t like people it can’t control. But America loves leaders who tell the truth and fight for what matters. Pete Hegseth is one of those leaders. So, let’s be clear: Pete’s not the problem. He’s the solution. And while the Swamp keeps losing its ever-loving mind because we have leaders who are putting America First again, Secretary Hegseth will keep marching forward, focused on the only thing that matters—making our military the strongest, fiercest, and most respected fighting force the world has ever known.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, to consider the nominations of Luke Lindberg to be Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, and of Devon Westhill to be Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights. During the hearing, Senator Tuberville and Mr. Lindberg discussed the significant impact foreign trade has on American farmers and producers. Additionally, Senator Tuberville and Mr. Westhill discussed protecting American agriculture and rural communities from woke, DEI policies.
Read excerpts below or watch the full clip on YouTube or Rumble.
ON PRESERVING AMERICAN FARMLAND
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Gentlemen, thanks for being here. Five-alarm-fire. We’re in trouble.
The Ag Department and us, we have a big chore in front of us. We’re losing farmers every day. We lost 150,000 farms in the last four years […] It’s not acceptable. The Biden administration sat on their hands for four years, didn’t do one trade deal, and it looked like they tried to put our farmers out of business on purpose. […] I couldn’t believe it. Sat there watching it. We have got to do something. I get calls every week.
I get a call every week: ‘we’re going out of business.’ Worst the farmers have ever been. We can’t do business as usual. Something has got to be done. And if we don’t do that, we’re gonna lose them. It’s gonna be over and we’re gonna be buying every bit of the food that we eat out of this country. And we saw what happened during COVID. It was a disaster when we couldn’t get drugs because China’s only one making drugs. So, I’ll get off my soapbox here and thank both of you for what you’re gonna try to do.”
ON U.S.-FOREIGN TRADE DISADVANTAGES
TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Lindberg, cotton has weakened due to the surge of low value textile imports of synthetic fibers – all from Southeast Asia. And they come through an $800 de minimis loophole, and it’s killing us. So, President Trump’s been working to close this loophole. Can you talk a little bit about that?”
MR. LINDBERG: “Senator, thank you. I can, and I appreciate you spending some time with me in your office to discuss these issues prior to this. Enjoyed our conversation. Absolutely, President Trump has taken seriously—based on the news reports I’ve seen— the de minimis exemption which has been a tragedy for not only our cotton farmers, but also for manufacturers and a lot of other industries across America.
I will absolutely work alongside, and look forward to working alongside, our interagency colleagues to make sure that those de minimis exemptions and things are held accountable and are following the law of the land. Our former governor is now at the Department of Homeland Security and looking to work with her team at Customers and Border Protection as well […] Thank you.”
TUBERVILLE: “Well, you know, it sounds like a little thing, but all those little things add up for our farmers. And, you know, we have got to get better commodity prices. If we don’t, I mean, it’s gonna be over with for United States farmers.”
ON CIVIL RIGHTS
TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Westhill, how do you plan to approach and manage the USDA career staffers in the civil rights departments that do not support President Trump’s agenda?”
MR. WESTHILL: “Senator, I really appreciate the question. And I’ll say, look, I think the career staffers that I worked with in the first term were, many of them, consummate professionals. In fact, one of them is here today supporting my nomination as one of my guests. He served as the chief of staff the entire time that I served in the first term. I think the important thing to do is to you know, to put out a clear vision for what your plan is.
I think the vast majority of the individuals who are in that office want to actually enforce civil rights. That’s why they went into that office. And at the end of the day, it is a civil rights office. Not a DEI office. And I think that the vast majority of those individuals will get behind President Trump’s agenda, which is to advance civil rights.”
TUBERVILLE: “Team USA. I mean, the only way we can make [and] we can’t do it by pulling each other apart.”
ON CATTLE PRODUCTION
TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Lindberg, the Biden administration put U.S. cattle producers at a competitive disadvantage and endangered the American public by allowing imports of beef from Paraguay. That’s ridiculous. Paraguay cattle producers do not have the same food safety standards as [the] U.S. Can you speak to USDA’s plans to ensure sufficient due diligence is done in these inspections?”
MR. LINDBERG: “Sir, thank you for the question. For me, in my role at USDA, as the Under Secretary of Foreign Agricultural Affairs, and Trade, that will be an effort by my colleagues. But I look forward to working with my colleagues in making sure that they have timely market analysis and market intelligence on those exact issues.”
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”
ON PEANUT FARMERS
TUBERVILLE: “Also, our peanut growers in my state, which is huge, and across the country, have been at a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace due to non-tariff trade barriers on peanuts from aflatoxin in the European Union. I asked Mr. Vaden this when he came through a few weeks ago and I’ll ask you too. Would you commit to ensuring USDA and USTR work together on Trump’s agenda to reduce trade barriers and prioritize market access for all of our farmers?”
Mr. Lindberg: “I look forward to doing exactly that.”
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
30 APRIL 2025 – Equinor delivered adjusted operating income* of USD 8.65 billion and USD 2.25 billion after tax in the first quarter of 2025. Equinor reported net operating income of USD 8.87 billion and net income at USD 2.63 billion. Adjusted net income* was USD 1.79 billion, leading to adjusted earnings per share* of USD 0.66.
Capital distribution
First quarter cash dividend of USD 0.37 per share
Proposed second tranche of share buy-back of up to USD 1.265 billion
Expected total capital distribution for 2025 of up to USD 9 billion.
Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA:
“Equinor delivers strong financial results in the first quarter. I am pleased to see the good operational performance and solid production capturing higher gas prices. With the current market uncertainties, Equinor’s core objective is safe, stable and cost efficient operations and resilience through a strong balance sheet.”
“We maintain a competitive capital distribution and expect to deliver a total of USD 9 billion in 2025.”
“The production start-up of the Johan Castberg field strengthens Norway’s role as a reliable energy exporter to Europe. The field opens a new region in the Barents Sea and is expected to contribute to energy supply, value creation and ripple effects for at least 30 years to come.”
“We have invested in Empire Wind after obtaining all necessary approvals, and the order to halt work now is unprecedented and in our view unlawful. This is a question of the rights and obligations granted under legally issued permits, and security of investments based on valid approvals. We seek to engage directly with the US Administration to clarify the matter and are considering our legal options.”
Solid production
Equinor delivered a total equity production of 2,123 mboe per day in the first quarter, down from 2,164 mboe in the same quarter last year.
The operational performance for most of the fields on Norwegian continental shelf is strong, including the Johan Sverdrup and Troll fields. This almost offsets the negative production impact from the shut-in at Sleipner B after the fire in fourth quarter 2024 and planned and unplanned maintenance at Hammerfest LNG.
In the US, production increased from the same period last year. This was due to increased production from the fields and transactions increasing Equinor’s ownership interest in onshore gas assets in 2024.
The production from the international upstream segment, excluding US, is down compared to the same quarter last year, due to exits from Nigeria and Azerbaijan in 2024.
The total power generation from the renewable portfolio was 0.76 TWh, on par with the same period last year.
In the quarter, Equinor completed five offshore exploration wells on the NCS with two commercial discoveries.
Strong financial results
Equinor delivered adjusted operating income* of USD 8.65 billion. and USD 2.25 billion after tax* in the first quarter of 2025. The results are driven by solid gas production and higher gas prices.
Equinor realised a European gas price of USD 14.8 per mmbtu and realised liquids prices were USD 70.6 per bbl in the first quarter.
Adjusted operating and administrative expenses* increased from the same quarter last year driven by overlift, higher maintenance activity and some one-off costs. This was partially offset by active measures to reduce costs for business development and early phase projects in renewables and low carbon solutions.
A strong operational performance generated a cash flow from operating activities, before taxes paid and working capital items, of USD 10.6 billion for the first quarter. Equinor paid one NCS tax instalment of USD 3.09 billion in the quarter.
Cash flow from operations after taxes paid* ended at USD 7.39 billion.
Organic capital expenditure* was USD 3.02 billion for the quarter, and total capital expenditures were USD 4.50 billion.
Equinor continues to demonstrate capital discipline and strengthen financial robustness with a net debt to capital employed adjusted ratio* of 6.9% at the end of the first quarter, compared to 11.9% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024.
Empire Wind 1
After quarter close, Equinor received a halt work order from the US government on the offshore construction on the outer continental shelf for the Empire Wind project. The lease was obtained in 2017 and the project was fully permitted in 2024. It has a potential for delivering power to half a million New York homes, and is approximately 30% to completion.
Equinor is complying with the order and is seeking dialogue with the proper authorities and assessing legal options. The Empire Wind project has per
31 March 2025 a gross book value of around USD 2.5 billion, including South Brooklyn Marine Terminal.
Strategic progress
A major milestone was reached when production was started from the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea on 31 March. Production also started at the Halten East development in the Norwegian Sea, with estimated recoverable reserves of 100 million boe and one year pay-back time.
Equinor continues to optimise and strengthen long-term value creation on the NCS, and was awarded 27 new production licenses in the Awards in Predefined Areas round (APA) in January. The ambition is to drill around 250 exploration wells on the NCS by 2035.
In the quarter, the Bacalhau floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) arrived at its destination in the Santos Basin in Brazil’s pre-salt region. First oil is expected in 2025.
Within low carbon solutions, Equinor together with partners Shell and TotalEnergies made a final investment decision to progress phase two of the groundbreaking Northern Lights carbon transport and storage development in Øygarden. The NOK 7.5 billion investment is expected to increase the total injection capacity from 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year (Mtpa) to at least 5 Mtpa and further develop the commercial market for transport and storage of CO2.
The appraisal wells for carbon storage at Smeaheia were completed in the quarter on time and on cost.
Competitive capital distribution
The board of directors has decided a cash dividend of USD 0.37 per share for the first quarter 2025, in line with communication at the Capital Markets Update in February.
Expected total capital distribution for 2025 is USD 9 billion, including a share buy-back programme of up to USD 5 billion. The board has decided to initiate a second tranche of the share buy-back programme of up to USD 1.265 billion. The second tranche is subject to an authorisation from the company’s annual general meeting 14 May 2025 and will commence after this. The tranche will end no later than 21 July 2025.
The first tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2025 was completed on 24 March 2025 with a total value of USD 1.2 billion.
All share buy-back amounts include shares to be redeemed by the Norwegian State.
*For items marked with an asterisk throughout this report, see Use and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the Supplementary disclosures.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
GARDEN CITY – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) led Republican members of the Kansas federal delegation in asking President Donald Trump to support the state’s request for a federal disaster declaration and public assistance funding to ensure necessary repairs and rebuilding of public infrastructure following multiple rounds of severe weather in March 2025. In addition to Senator Marshall, the letter is signed by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (R-Kansas-01), Ron Estes (R-Kansas-04), and Derek Schmidt (R-Kansas-02).
Kansas was impacted by two back-to-back strong, mid-latitude cyclone storm systems that moved through the state March 14 – 19. The systems brought strong winds, low humidity, blowing dust, and blizzard conditions. According to the National Weather Service, the near-record low pressure in one of the systems measured close to the pressure found in a category 1 hurricane.
Upon approval of the disaster declaration, local governments and public utility providers would be eligible to submit storm-related expenses to FEMA for reimbursement.
In the letter, the members wrote:
“We write today in support of Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state of Kansas following the severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and wildfires that swept across the state March 14–19, 2025. The impact of this storm system cannot be adequately described, as it ultimately led to the demolition of essential infrastructure and the tragic loss of life. It is imperative that federal support is provided to allow our communities to recover from the damage.
“The severe weather that impacted Kansans in March was recognized by the National Weather Service as ‘two back-to-back strong mid-latitude cyclone storm systems’ that brought ‘strong winds and low humidity, which exacerbated extreme fire conditions, brought blowing dust, and created blizzard conditions. Both systems had near-record low pressure, with the system on the 14th measuring close to the pressure found in category 1 hurricanes.’
“The storms moved across Kansas in two separate but equally damaging systems, impacting all corners of the state and creating measurable damage in nearly one-third of the state’s counties. Due to the impacts on rural infrastructure and municipal and cooperative-owned utilities, federal assistance is needed to help electrical providers and municipalities cover the costs of repairing and replacing vital infrastructure.
“The state of Kansas has estimated more than $8.5 million in damage that would be eligible for public assistance funding.
“We would like to express our support for the Governor’s request to the Administration to provide assistance to the state of Kansas. We look forward to federal support being made available swiftly to support local governments and utility providers in their efforts to respond to the desolation left by these natural disasters.”
Click HERE to read the full text of the letter.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC) and Armed Services (SASC)—slammed a senior official from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after he failed to publicly commit to rehiring Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) workers who were fired in Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s indiscriminate mass layoffs of federal workers. Duckworth pressed the VA official on the importance of maintaining robust mental health and suicide prevention resources for Veterans amid the Trump Administration’s ongoing cuts to the VA, which have already made it harder for Veterans to access quality health care. Video of Duckworth’s remarks can be found on her YouTube.
“From the mass layoffs of federal workers, including Veterans working with the Crisis Line, to canceled contracts and continued attacks on Veterans belonging to underserved communities, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are intentionally attacking morale and exacerbating mental health workforce shortages at the VA,” said Duckworth. “It is unacceptable that Trump’s VA refuses to fix their errors and reinstate all VCL workers who have been fired, especially as the Trump Administration’s policies continue to undermine the mental health and well-being of patriotic Americans who have served our nation honorably. We cannot endure more chaos at the risk of delaying mental health care and suicide prevention services for our Veterans.”
During her questioning, Duckworth highlighted how she has advocated for several workers with VCL and pressed Thomas O’Toole, MD—the Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Health for Clinical Services and Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the VA—on whether he would commit to rehiring all VCL workers fired by Elon Musk—essential workers who provide emergency mental health services to Veterans in crisis. After Mr. O’Toole refused to make that commitment, Duckworth replied, “I think it should be more than just the people being handled by my office. There are many people across the country who have now been laid off who have worked on Veterans’ mental health programs. Those people need their jobs back—especially if they themselves are Veterans.”
Duckworth has been a fierce leader and advocate for our Veterans who have been fired in the disastrous Trump-Musk layoffs across our federal workforce. Earlier this month, Duckworth introduced a resolution to condemn these layoffs and demand the immediate reinstatement of all Veteran federal employees illegally and indiscriminately fired since Trump took office—a resolution Republicans blocked.
This resolution came after Duckworth and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) introduced their Protect Veteran Jobs Act last month, legislation that would reinstate the thousands of Veterans who were fired in the Trump-Musk layoffs. Duckworth and Kim subsequently introduced their legislation as an amendment to Republicans’ slush fund continuing resolution. Republicans shamefully blocked it from passing.
In February, Duckworth also joined SVAC Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and a group of 34 Democratic Senators calling on Department of VA Secretary Collins to immediately reinstate the more than 1,000 VA employees terminated earlier that month who serve Veterans and their families nationwide, including critical employees addressing Veteran suicide working at the Veterans Crisis Line.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
April 30, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in a coalition of over 100 Congressional Democrats in writing to Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Leland Dudek to demand that he keep Social Security field offices open. This letter comes after multiple reports revealed that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) directed SSA to close field offices across the country—only to reverse course after public backlash and deny the plans altogether. Given the lack of transparency surrounding the status of field offices nationwide, the lawmakers pressed Dudek to ensure that DOGE does not close the offices that so many Social Security beneficiaries rely on for services and assistance.
“[B]eneficiaries need the opportunity to seek assistance from SSA in person…Closing any of these field offices will make it harder for individuals to access their benefits,” wrote the lawmakers.
Last Thursday, Social Security Works, Indivisible, P Street and AFGE organized volunteers to deliver copies of the lawmakers’ letter to field offices across the country—in blue, red, and purple counties—in support of the field offices and their staff. Volunteers plan to visit at least 50 offices in Arizona, Nebraska, California, New Jersey, Colorado, Nevada, Florida, New York, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Oregon, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maryland, Washington, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina.
Along with Duckworth, Durbin, Warren, Wyden, Schumer and Gillibrand, the letter is also co-signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
Full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, released the following statement after the Department of the Navy awarded a contract to Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding to start construction on two Virginia-class submarines, which Kaine successfully pushed to get additional funding for last year:
“I’m thrilled the Navy has awarded two additional Virginia-class submarines to Newport News Shipbuilding. This is a testament to the hard work and leadership of Virginia’s shipbuilders and defense industry. I was proud to secure funding for these submarines in legislation we passed last year. This funding is critical to ensuring the Navy has the resources it needs to provide competitive wages for shipbuilders and advance the AUKUS agreement that will help ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress to get our shipbuilding programs back on track.”
Kaine has played a key role in securing more resources for the submarine industrial base, including additional funding for the Virginia-class submarine program that is currently facing significant delays because of workforce challenges and supply chain disruptions. The on-time completion of Virginia-class submarines, which are built in Virginia and Connecticut, is critical to fulfill the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) partnership, through which the U.S. will sell at least two Virginia-class submarines to Australia to boost security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, and counter Chinese military aggression in the region. Kaine has been a strong champion of AUKUS in Congress and has helped get signed into law provisions to implement and strengthen AUKUS.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee passed a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) that would help American businesses identify and avoid doing business with foreign entities linked to human rights abuses, particularly the use of forced labor in China.
“We must do everything we can to condemn and deter human rights abuses being committed by our adversaries, including China,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “This bipartisan bill would provide our businesses with important insight that can help them avoid business dealings with foreign entities that might be involved in these atrocities. I’ll continue working with my colleagues to see the bill pass the full Senate.”
The Combating CCP Labor Abuses Act – which Peters introduced with U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and John Curtis (R-UT) – would direct the Commerce Department to offer training and guidance to U.S. exporters that are, or are considering, exporting goods to businesses in the People’s Republic of China where forced labor and significant human rights abuses have occurred. The bill – which unanimously passed the Senate last Congress – would also require the Commerce Department to provide additional insight that might help U.S. exporters avoid doing business with foreign entities that are subject to the influence or control of nations such as the People’s Republic of China that may be implicated in forced labor or human rights violations.
The bipartisan legislation has earned the support of the Uyghur Human Rights Project and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
“Business complicity in the genocide of the Uyghurs has to be stopped,” said Omer Kanat, Uyghur Human Rights Project Executive Director. “The US government should act on its 2021 genocide finding, by ensuring small businesses have options. This bill is important for them to stop any kind of business with the companies involved in the ongoing slow-genocide policies in China – including hi-tech surveillance, textiles, EV batteries, and much more.”
The government of the People’s Republic of China has perpetrated egregious human rights abuses—including in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region—against Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups. The Chinese government’s actions have encompassed mass detention in internment camps, the use of forced labor, and other atrocities. This has led the U.S. State Department to determine that the People’s Republic of China, “under the direction and control” of the Chinese Communist Party, “has committed genocide against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.”
The U.S. Department of Commerce provides valuable assistance to help U.S. businesses and exporters increase sales and tap into new markets, such as through export counseling provided by the U.S. Commercial Service. Peters’ bipartisan bill would build on existing human rights training for Department staff by ensuring its workforce is specifically informed about emerging trends and issues with respect to human rights abuses occurring around the world, such as the situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the President of the European Council, António Costa. President Costa congratulated Prime Minister Carney on his election. With his new government, Prime Minister Carney emphasized Canada’s role as a stable and reliable trading partner.
To that end, the leaders agreed to strengthen the close economic relationship between Canada and the European Union.