Tag Archives: iran

Daily Mail: America’s energy revolution goes from boom to bust after Trump’s tariffs and sneaky move by Saudi Arabia

Posted on by
Reply

Oil bosses have warned that America’s energy boom is over, as Trump’s tariffs raise production costs and crude prices fall thanks to an increase in production from Saudi Arabia.  

The shale revolution of the last few years delivered huge volumes of cheap oil and gas that powered the US economy and broke dependence on foreign imports from places such as Iran, Russia and Venezuela.  

Production hit record highs under President Joe Biden, but is now falling under Trump.

The situation presents a direct contradiction to the President’s pledges to ‘drill baby drill’ and assert America’s ‘energy dominance.’ 

…

‘Saudi is trying to regain market share and they’ll probably get it over the next five years,’ Sheffield explained. 

America’s energy revolution goes from boom to bust after Trump’s tariffs and sneaky move by Saudi Arabia

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-14757637/america-shale-boom-bust-trump-tariffs-opec.html

Newsweek: Proposal may ban some green card holders from owning land throughout state

Posted on by
Reply

King told Newsweek that “this is about protecting our obligation to keep our power stations, water treatment plants, and gas lines safe from surveillance and espionage.” It seeks to do so byprohibiting noncitizens from designated “foreign adversaries,” including China, Russia, and Iran, among others, from owning land within 25 miles of “critical infrastructure.”

Designating “foreign adversaries” would seem to be a federal power, not permitted to individual states.

The bill exempts American citizens or those with dual citizenship from the ban. The Senate counterpart bill notes that impacted individuals would have to sell and divest their property within two years.

Under the bills, county sheriffs would be responsible for enforcing the new restrictions. If the legislation passes, individuals subject to the prohibition would be required to sell restricted property within two years.

…

Xiang Zhang, a professor of genomics at the University of Cincinnati, said at a hearing on Tuesday, as reported by the South China Morning Post: “I never thought that one day, I would have to stand here in front of you to defend myself solely because of my nationality. I never thought that one day, I would lose my house in Ohio solely because of my nationality.”

Proposal may ban some green card holders from owning land throughout state
An Ohio legislative proposal aims to restrict certain property ownership.

https://www.newsweek.com/proposal-may-ban-some-green-card-holders-owning-land-2076488

Associated Press: Trump administration releases people to shelters it threatened to prosecute for aiding migrants

Posted on by
Reply

The Trump administration has continued releasing people charged with being in the country illegally to nongovernmental shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border after telling those organizations that providing migrants with temporary housing and other aid may violate a law used to prosecute smugglers.Here's The Average Price of a 6-Hour Gutter Upgrade in Minneapolis

Border shelters, which have long provided lodging, meals and transportation to the nearest bus station or airport, were rattled by a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that raised “significant concerns” about potentially illegal activity and demanded detailed information in a wide-ranging investigation. FEMA suggested shelters may have committed felony offenses against bringing people across the border illegally or transporting them within the United States.

…

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continued to ask shelters in Texas and Arizona to house people even after the March 11 letter, putting them in the awkward position of doing something that FEMA appeared to say might be illegal. Both agencies are part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Trump administration releases people to shelters it threatened to prosecute for aiding migrants
The Trump administration has been releasing people charged with being in the country illegally to nongovernmental shelters along the U.S. border with Mexico after telling those organizations that providing migrants with temporary housing and other aid may violate a law used to prosecute smugglers.

https://apnews.com/article/border-shelters-laredo-phoenix-trump-releases-afc2f4d2ca786161e7bb4b03f54033fa

NBC News: Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar

Posted on by
Reply

In a “Meet the Press” interview, Trump’s former vice president was careful to balance praise of Trump with specific disapproval in certain areas.

On tariffs:

Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized President Donald Trump’s approach to tariffs, as well as several foreign policy initiatives, in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” airing Sunday.

“The initial reciprocal tariffs that he unveiled would be the largest peacetime tax hike on the American people in the history of this country,” Pence told moderator Kristen Welker, referring to the sweeping tariffs Trump imposed on the United States’ largest trading partners in early April.

Days later, the president paused most of the tariffs, a move that Pence on Friday said he was “glad” to see.

On the 747-800 from Qatar:

Pence also spoke about Trump’s approach to foreign policy in this term. He told Welker it’s “a bad idea” for the president to accept a plane as a gift from the Qatari royal family, amid reports that Trump plans to do so, and was critical of Trump’s speech in Saudi Arabia.

The former vice president also questioned the Trump administration’s approach to Iran, as top U.S. officials seek to reach a deal with Iran over the nation’s possession of uranium and nuclear technology.

Pence said he is worried about reports that Iran is seeking to maintain a civilian nuclear program, telling Welker the U.S. “should make it clear in negotiations with Iran that their current nuclear program must be either dismantled or destroyed.”

On Jan. 6:

Pence said Trump was wrong to issue a blanket pardon of people who faced charges for participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

“I will always believe by God’s grace I did my duty that day to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and see to the peaceful transfer of power,” Pence said, later drawing a distinction between some Jan. 6 defendants who “just walked through an open door, meant no harm, did no harm,” and those charged with more serious crimes.

“But individuals who broke into the Capitol, who assaulted police officers, I said that day and I believe to this moment should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Pence said.

Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar
In a “Meet the Press” interview, Trump’s former vice president was careful to balance praise of Trump with specific disapproval in certain areas.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/mike-pence-criticizes-trump-tariffs-key-foreign-policy-issues-watches-rcna206755

Bloomberg: Iran’s Khamenei Brands Trump a Liar in Escalation of Rhetoric

Posted on by
Reply

“Some of the remarks made during the US president’s trip to the region aren’t even worth responding to,” Khamenei said. “The level of the statements is so low that they are a source of shame for the speaker and a source of shame for the American people.”

Even the world’s worst ogre gets one right every now & then!

https://archive.is/IUjpG#selection-1509.0-1509.254

Associated Press: International students in Alabama fearful after researcher with no political ties is detained

Posted on by
Reply

Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani and her fiance, Alireza Doroudi, had just spent an evening celebrating the Persian new year at the University of Alabama when seven armed immigration officers came to their apartment before dawn and arrested Doroudi.

…

Bajgani said the couple does not know why Doroudi — who has no criminal record or public political views — faces deportation, adding that Trump’s recent visit to the school made her feel like the university was “ignorant of our crisis.”

…

“It’s like all of us are waiting for our turn. It could be every knock, every email could be deportation,” said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of concerns about losing his legal status.

…

Doroudi’s visa was revoked in June 2023, but the embassy didn’t provide a reason and ignored his inquiries, Bajgani said. The university told him he could stay as long as he remained a student but that would not be allowed to reenter the U.S. if he left, she said.

He was operating under that guidance when immigration officers came to the couple’s door in March.

International students in Alabama fearful after researcher with no political ties is detained
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani and her fiance, Alireza Doroudi, had just spent an evening celebrating the Persian new year at the University of Alabama when seven armed immigration officers came to their apartment before dawn and arrested Doroudi. In a moment, the young couple’s life was upended. “I was living a normal life until tha…

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/iranian-students-at-the-university-of-alabama-say-immigration-crackdown-echoes-repression-at-home/ar-AA1E5qXD

Daily Beast: ‘Frustrated’ MTG Unleashes Laundry List of Complaints Against Trump Admin

Posted on by
Reply

Outspoken Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has sounded off against the Trump administration in a lengthy tirade on the social media site X.

“I represent the base and when I’m frustrated and upset over the direction of things, you better be clear, the base is not happy,” wrote Greene.

The post fired shots at the recent minerals deal with Ukraine, the handling of the war in Iraq, COVID-19 vaccines, and election integrity, saying the Trump administration has so far failed to address concerns that frustrate “the base.”

The only constituency Marjorie Taylor Greene represents is her own big mouth. But it’s always good to see the carnivores chewing on one another. Remember, “It’s a dog eat dog world.”

‘Frustrated’ MTG Unleashes Laundry List of Complaints Against Trump Admin
Outspoken Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has sounded off against the Trump administration in a lengthy tirade on the social media site X. “I represent the base and when I’m frustrated and upset over the direction of things, you better be clear, the base is not happy,” wrote Greene. The post fired shots at the recent minerals deal with Ukraine, the handling of the war in Iraq, COVID-19 vaccines, and election integrity, saying the…

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/frustrated-mtg-unleashes-laundry-list-of-complaints-against-trump-admin/ar-AA1E54Ss

Mediaite: Trump Was Reportedly Pissed at Ousted Mike Waltz Even Before ‘SignalGate’ Fiasco – Over Private Meetings

Posted on by
Reply

One of those moves, per the Post’s sources, was private discussions between Waltz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

President Donald Trump’s decision to oust National Security Adviser Mike Waltz this week came after months of growing tension, according to a report published Saturday by The Washington Post.

While Waltz’s inadvertent addition of a journalist to a Signal group chat discussing military plans reportedly triggered the final decision, two sources told the Post that Trump had been frustrated with Waltz over foreign policy for months.

It’s a dog eat dog world!

Trump Was Reportedly Pissed at Ousted Mike Waltz Even Before ‘SignalGate’ Fiasco – Over Private Meetings

New York Post: Steve Witkoff shouldn’t be leading Iran, Russia negotiations, allies and insiders say

Posted on by
Reply

President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, former real estate attorney and investor Steve Witkoff, has left administration insiders distressed by his approach to negotiating with two of America’s greatest adversaries.

Witkoff, who has become Trump’s de facto personal ambassador to Russian President Vladimir Putin in addition to taking on the Middle East portfolio, takes part in high-level meetings alone — and is said to have even occasionally leaned on Kremlin translators — in a break with longstanding diplomatic procedure, multiple sources told The Post.

Ahead of Witkoff’s most recent meeting with Putin this past Friday, the New York native greeted the Kremlin tyrant like an old friend — with no sign of the usual coterie of advisers, experts and military officers who typically accompany US officials conducting negotiations.

Exclusive | Steve Witkoff shouldn’t be leading Iran, Russia negotiations, allies and insiders say
Steve Witkoff, who has become Trump’s de facto personal ambassador to Russian President Vladimir Putin in addition to taking on the Middle East portfolio, takes part in high-level meetings al…

https://nypost.com/2025/04/30/us-news/steve-witkoff-shouldnt-be-leading-iran-russia-negotiations-allies-and-insiders-say

Reuters: US military says it will limit disclosing details on strikes in Yemen

Posted on by
Reply

The U.S. military said on Sunday it will not reveal specific details about its military strikes in Yemen, citing what it called the need “to preserve operational security” while also saying the strikes had “lethal effects” on Houthi rebels.

Republican President Donald Trump ordered the intensification of U.S. strikes on Yemen last month, with his administration saying it will continue assaulting Iran-backed Houthi rebels until they stop attacking Red Sea shipping.

Recent U.S. strikes have killed dozens, including 74 at an oil terminal in mid-April in what was the deadliest strike in Yemen under Trump so far, according to the Houthi-run health ministry.

Rights advocates have raised concerns about civilian killings and three Democratic senators, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, wrote to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Thursday demanding accounting for loss of civilian lives. Hegseth has also come under fire for using the unclassified messaging system Signal to discuss Yemen attack plans.

So now we’ll have a secret war blissfully unaware of the civilian casualties we are causing?

I can’t wait to see King Donald and Hegseth in the dock at the International Criminal Court alongside Benjamin Netanyahu.

US military says it will limit disclosing details on strikes in Yemen
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. military said on Sunday it will not reveal specific details about its military strikes in Yemen, citing what it called the need “to preserve operational security” while also saying the strikes had “lethal effects” on Houthi rebels. Republican President Donald Trump ordered the intensification of U.S. strikes on Yemen last month, with his

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-military-says-it-will-limit-disclosing-details-on-strikes-in-yemen/ar-AA1DJ7Qf