THREAD: china strikes back
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CHINA STRIKES Back: New Measures Against US Spark Trade War Fears
— China has hit back with new tariffs on American goods and opened an antitrust investigation into Google. This comes after President Donald Trump imposed broad levies on Chinese products. While Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico are paused, tensions with China are rising fast.
This isn’t the first clash between the U.S. and China, as similar issues arose in 2018 under Trump’s leadership. Experts say China is now more prepared, targeting various sectors of the U.S. economy while protecting its own interests. Gary Ng from Natixis noted China’s strategy to maximize impact but minimize risks to itself.
John Gong, a professor in Beijing, called China’s response “measured,” showing a wish to avoid worsening the trade war. Observers think China wants talks like those with Canada and Mexico, hoping for a resolution that benefits both sides in this tricky economic standoff.;
SCO SUMMIT Shock: China and Russia Urge Support for Taliban-LED Afghanistan
— Foreign ministers from China, Russia, Pakistan, and India gathered in Tianjin this week for the SCO summit. The main topic was Afghanistan’s future under Taliban control. While Afghanistan is still only an “observer” in the group, its role sparked heated debate.
Officials avoided naming the Taliban directly but pushed for investment and cooperation with Afghanistan’s current rulers. Russia is the only country at the table that openly recognizes Taliban rule. China and Iran call it a temporary government instead of giving full approval.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called Afghanistan an “important member of the SCO family.” He urged neighboring countries to back rebuilding efforts led by the Taliban regime, signaling a shift toward deeper involvement.
Russia’s Sergey Lavrov agreed with China, saying SCO members should help rebuild Afghanistan under its present leaders. Meanwhile, the United Nations still refuses to give formal recognition to the Taliban but has invited them to join its COP29 climate conference later this year.
TRUMP’S Bold “Bomb Moscow” Threat Shocks Donors: Audio Exposes His Tough Stand on Russia
— Audio from a private donor event reveals Donald Trump told supporters he warned Vladimir Putin he would bomb Moscow if Russia attacked Ukraine. Trump also said he gave China’s Xi Jinping a similar warning about Taiwan. The tape, reported by CNN, shows Trump making his case for strong leadership in 2024.
The never-before-heard audio was obtained by journalists writing the book “2024.” Trump’s campaign did not comment on what was said in the recordings. On the tape, Trump also talked about deporting student protestors and called welfare recipients loyal Democrat voters.
Russian state media quickly denied the story. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed there were no such calls and pointed out that Trump was not president at that time.
These tapes show how direct and tough Trump is when talking to donors — very different from President Biden’s softer approach to foreign policy.
KEY WEST Uproar: City Forced to Back ICE After Furious Public Demand
— Key West city leaders changed their minds Tuesday, voting to work with federal immigration agents again. Just last week, they had decided to stop helping ICE, but the public was not happy.
Residents and state officials pushed back hard. They wanted the city to follow federal law and keep working with immigration officers. Commissioner Lissette Carey, who always supported the agreement, said her fellow commissioners didn’t realize how upset people would be.
“We absolutely have to support and follow the law of our state and federal government,” Carey told Fox News Digital. She was shocked she was alone at first but glad her colleagues finally listened.
ICE did not comment on the switch. The debate shows how strong feelings are in Florida about enforcing immigration laws — and that local voices can make a difference.
RUSSIA’S Sinister Arson Plot Shocks Britain: Families Forced to Flee in Terror
— Three men were found guilty in a British court for setting a fire in March 2024. Prosecutors say Russia’s intelligence services ordered the attack. Two more, including leader Dylan Earl, had already admitted guilt. The blaze forced families out of their homes as police rushed to clear the area.
Officials say this is not an isolated case. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, there have been over 70 similar incidents across Europe linked to Russian operatives. Experts warn these attacks are getting worse and more dangerous.
Many of these saboteurs are untrained and careless, putting innocent lives at risk by starting fires or planting bombs.
The Kremlin denies any role in these crimes. Russian officials call the claims “baseless” and refuse all blame.
UK-SYRIA PEACE Deal Shocks Britons: Hope and Doubt After Assad Ousted
— Britain is reopening ties with Syria after 13 years of conflict and sanctions against Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Assad was forced out in December, ending a long civil war. Now, the UK says it’s time to work with Syria’s new leaders.
Labour Foreign Secretary David Lammy explained the move, saying it helps Britain by supporting a stable government in Syria. He claims this could lower illegal migration, stop chemical weapons threats, and fight terrorism before it reaches British shores.
Photos show Lammy meeting interim Syrian President Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. Both sides promised to build stronger ties and tackle problems together in the region.
Years ago, Britain joined airstrikes against Assad’s forces. Today, leaders say working with Syria is key for national security at home — and for peace abroad.
IRAN NUCLEAR Deal Shattered: Biden’s Chaos Leaves America Exposed
— Senator Chris Murphy admitted U.S. and Israeli strikes wrecked ongoing talks with Iran over its nuclear program. He said, “We interrupted those negotiations,” warning that the chance for a peaceful deal may now be gone.
Murphy argued these attacks have “scrambled Iranian politics” so much that Iran might never agree to the deals it once considered. He claimed this could make the Iranian threat even worse in the long run, even if their nuclear plans are delayed for now.
Podcast host Tommy Vietor pointed out Israel killed a key Iranian leader involved in talks. Murphy replied, “Correct, and not coincidentally.” This hints at a deliberate move to end diplomacy with Iran.
The Biden administration’s choices have left America with fewer tools against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Critics say this shows weak leadership and risks more chaos in an already unstable region.
UK’S BOLD Return: Britain’s Shocking Embrace of Syria’s NEW Government
— Britain has reopened diplomatic ties with Syria after more than ten years of cutting them off. This comes after rebel forces removed Bashar al-Assad from power, putting interim President Sharaa in charge.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with President Sharaa and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to talk about building a new partnership and tackling problems in the region. Photos from the meeting show a dramatic change in how Britain deals with Syria’s leaders.
Lammy said helping Syria’s new government is good for British interests. He listed stopping illegal migration, destroying chemical weapons, and fighting terrorism as main goals.
The UK once supported tough sanctions and even military action against Assad during the civil war, but now it seems ready to work closely with Damascus again.
KOHBERGER ESCAPES Execution: Idaho Murder Families Shattered by Plea Deal
— Bryan Kohberger admitted Wednesday to killing four University of Idaho students in 2022. Judge Steven Hippler accepted his guilty plea at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise.
Kohberger, 30, will spend the rest of his life behind bars with no chance for parole. In return for pleading guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary, prosecutors dropped the death penalty.
The savage stabbings stunned the nation and left families of Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves heartbroken. Many say justice feels incomplete without a possible execution.
Sentencing is set for July 23, when victims’ loved ones are expected to speak out about their pain and loss in court.
MEDIEVAL HOSPITAL Shock: Hidden Remains Unearthed Under Busy York Street
— A sinkhole in York, England, has led to a surprising discovery. Archaeologists found the remains of a huge medieval hospital right under St Leonard’s Place. The hole opened suddenly, forcing emergency crews to act fast and call in experts.
City officials say the ruins likely belong to St. Leonard’s Hospital, one of the biggest hospitals in northern England during the 12th or 13th century. This historic site was hidden for centuries beneath busy city streets.
Photos from the scene show old stone walls and bricks just below today’s pavement — barely out of sight from people walking above. Crews quickly secured the area before digging deeper to keep everyone safe during their search.;
POLICE FUNDING Surge Delivers Shocking Drop in Homicides
— Major cities that raised POLICE funding in 2024 are now seeing murder rates fall fast. Philadelphia, Denver, Minneapolis, and New York City all reported big drops in homicides during early 2025 compared to last year.
The Major Cities Chiefs Association shared the numbers. Philadelphia’s homicides fell by 28%. Minneapolis saw a huge 54% drop. Denver’s rate dropped almost 59%. New York City also saw a strong 28% decrease.
Police leaders say these results prove that cutting police budgets was the wrong move. They call it an “absolute rejection” of defunding efforts.
Local lawmakers boosted police budgets even as activists pushed back. The numbers now show that supporting law enforcement makes communities safer.
POLICE FUNDING Surge Sparks Dramatic Drop In Homicides
— Cities that boosted POLICE funding are now seeing murder rates plummet. Philadelphia, Denver, Minneapolis, and New York City all reported sharp drops in homicides for early 2025 compared to last year.
Data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association shows declines in killings from 28% up to almost 59%. Minneapolis saw a 54% drop, while Denver led with nearly 59% fewer murders.
Local officials decided to increase police budgets in 2024, ignoring calls from activists to cut funding. The association called this a “total rejection” of defund-the-police efforts.
These results back what conservatives have said for years: strong support for law enforcement makes communities safer and helps stop violent crime.
ISRAEL’S Bold Strike: Top Hamas Mastermind Wiped Out in Gaza
— Israel’s military announced it killed Hakham Muhammad Issa al-Issa, a senior Hamas commander tied to the October 7 massacre. The airstrike hit Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood on Friday. It is still unclear if his wife and grandson survived.
Issa was a key figure in Hamas’s operations. He led combat support and training, and helped rebuild Hamas infrastructure damaged by Israeli forces during the war.
He brought years of battle experience from Syria and Iraq when he arrived in Gaza in 2005. In recent days, he helped plan attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.
The IDF also reported killing Abbas Al-Hassan Wahbi, a Hezbollah terrorist, in southern Lebanon on Saturday. Israel is stepping up efforts to target top terror leaders as fighting continues on several fronts.
TRUMP’S America First Shocks World Leaders: Allies Scramble to Keep Up
— World leaders are changing how they deal with President Trump as he starts his second term. They now use flattery, skip over tough topics, and focus on what Trump really wants. NATO leaders even made meetings shorter and less heated, showing a big change in their approach.
Trump’s unpredictable moves keep allies guessing. He often threatens tariffs or big policy shifts but sometimes backs down during talks. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever summed it up after Trump’s latest tariff threat against Spain, saying things often don’t turn out as bad as they seem at first.
At recent summits, leaders mixed praise with caution when dealing with Trump. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney praised him in public but quickly ended a press conference when things got tense. Trump left the G7 summit early as Middle East tensions grew.
Trump’s America First plan is making other countries rethink how they work with the U.S. The world is watching to see just how far he’ll go — and whether he’ll deliver on his bold promises this time around.
TRUMP’S Powerful NATO Moment: Ukrainian Reporter’s Tears Spark Emotional Exchange
— At the NATO summit in The Hague, President Trump faced a moving question from a Ukrainian reporter. The journalist, who works for the BBC, shared that her husband is fighting in Ukraine while she and their children live as refugees in Poland.
Trump noticed her emotion and asked about her background. When he heard about her family’s struggle, he listened closely as she asked if the U.S. would send more Patriot missiles to help Ukraine defend itself.
This exchange put a human face on the war in Ukraine. It showed how families are torn apart by conflict and how leaders like Trump are pressed to respond to real people’s pain.
Trump’s answer showed his willingness to take tough questions on America’s role overseas. As Russia keeps attacking Ukraine, moments like this remind us what is at stake for families caught in war.
TRUMP’S Heartfelt NATO Encounter Stirs Hope And Doubt Over Ukraine Support
— At the NATO summit in The Hague, President Trump had a moving exchange with a Ukrainian journalist. She told Trump her husband is fighting in Ukraine while she and their children live in Poland. Trump noticed her emotion and asked about her story before letting her speak.
She wanted to know if the U.S. would send more Patriot missiles to Ukraine as Russia keeps attacking. Trump listened as she described the pain Ukrainians face every day.
This moment showed Trump’s openness to hearing from people affected by war, not just politicians. But it also raised new questions about whether America will keep backing Ukraine if he returns to office.
Many conservatives are watching closely, wondering if strong U.S. support for Ukraine is still the right path — or if it’s time for a new approach that puts America first.
BBC Host’s BOLD Stand for Women Sparks JOY Across Social Media
— BBC presenter Martine Croxall made waves when she corrected “pregnant people” to “women” during a live TV segment on heat-related deaths. She paused and clearly said “women,” calling out what many see as needless political correctness. The clip spread fast online, with conservatives cheering her courage to speak the truth.
The term “pregnant people” is often used to include biological women who don’t identify as women. Critics say this language erases women from important issues. Croxall thanked her supporters on X, writing, “It’s been quite a ride.” She also answered viewers who wondered if the video was real or made by AI.
This moment has fueled debate over gender language in public life. Many saw Croxall’s correction as a much-needed stand against progressive efforts to blur basic facts about biology.
For many viewers, it was refreshing to see someone in mainstream media defend common sense and speak up for women — loud and clear.
MUSK’S Shocking Apology to Trump: Inside the Powerful Peace Deal
— Elon Musk and President Trump were at odds this week after Musk slammed the Republican budget on X and accused Trump of hiding Jeffrey Epstein files. Things got even hotter when Musk called for Trump’s impeachment, which angered many conservatives.
On Tuesday, Musk posted an apology on X for “some” of his recent comments about President Trump. Sources say he also called Trump directly to say sorry. President Trump told the New York Post he welcomed the apology.
Senator J.D. Vance spoke at a Washington event, saying it was wrong for Musk to make those claims but stressed that America wins when big-name business leaders back conservative causes.
Reports show Senator Vance helped work out a peace deal between Musk and Trump that led to the public apology and private phone call, ending their latest feud — for now.
IRAN’S Shocking Nuclear Scheme Exposed: Hidden Weapons Plan Raises Global Alarm
— A new report says Iran is secretly building nuclear weapons under a project called the Kavir Plan. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) claims this program is hidden behind missile research and takes place in secret sites west of Tehran.
The Kavir Plan started in 2009, after an earlier nuclear effort was discovered and stopped. NCRI’s Deputy Director, Alireza Jafarzadeh, warns that the goal is to make warheads for missiles that can strike U.S. bases and major cities in Europe.
To cover its tracks, Iran has erased roads from maps, used drones with facial recognition, and set up spy bases to keep outsiders away. Foreign researchers are watched closely — some have even been arrested or questioned.
NCRI says these harsh steps show not only a need to hide their nuclear work but also deep fear inside the regime about losing control over their own people.
PENTAGON SHOCKS Allies With Bold “America First” Move on Aukus Submarine Deal
— The Pentagon is rethinking the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with Australia and the United Kingdom. This review comes as President Biden’s team focuses more on “America First” policies and tries to fix problems in U.S. shipyards. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says American military strength must come before anything else.
The original plan had Australia buying Virginia-class submarines from the U.S., with all three countries working together on a new submarine design in the future. The deal also promised to share cutting-edge technology like cyber tools, artificial intelligence, and hypersonic weapons.
Some defense leaders are worried about sending submarines overseas while America’s own Navy needs more ships. One Pentagon official said, “This review will make sure we put America first.”
Now, the future of AUKUS is uncertain as Washington decides whether to honor deals with allies or focus only on national needs.
WHITE BRITISH Minority Shock: Report Warns of Rapid UK Change
— A new report from the University of Buckingham warns that White British people with two White British parents could become a minority in the United Kingdom by 2063. Professor Matt Goodwin’s research finds their share may fall from 73% today to just 22.7% by the end of this century.
The study also predicts that only four in ten people will have deep roots in Britain by 2122, compared to eight in ten now. It suggests Muslims could make up one in five UK residents.
Professor Goodwin says these dramatic changes raise big questions about whether the country can handle such shifts. He points to high migration and low birth rates as key reasons for what he calls a looming demographic crisis.
The findings are already causing debate across Britain, as many worry about how these changes might affect national identity and social unity.
— Major Human Smuggling Bust at US-Mexico Border. Federal authorities intercepted a large-scale operation involving over 50 migrants hidden in a modified semi-truck and arrested three key organizers.
— UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s London home suffers suspicious fire. The incident raises national security concerns, and police have arrested a suspect as investigations continue.
— No new major world news reported outside UK and US. The current news timeline remains unchanged, with no recent breaking events.
— Technical glitch causes service outage Users report frustration as the platform experiences a temporary failure with no estimated fix time provided
— 23andMe to be acquired for $256 million amid financial struggles The deal aims to secure the company’s future amid market tensions and changing policies
CHINA STRIKES Back: US Farmers Face Uncertain Future in Trade WAR
— China swiftly hit back at new U.S. tariffs by imposing higher import taxes on $21 billion of American agricultural goods. This move ramps up tensions between the world’s two largest economies, edging them closer to a trade war.
Despite the increased tariffs, China’s futures markets stayed steady, showing strength amid this economic clash. The Chinese government has stated it won’t be cowed by these new actions from the Trump administration.
This situation highlights the growing economic rivalry and its impact on global trade relations, especially in agriculture — a vital sector for both countries. As this dispute unfolds, American farmers might struggle to keep their export markets in China.
CHINA STRIKES Back: US Farmers Face NEW Import Levies
— China has hit back at the latest U.S. tariffs by placing new import levies on $21 billion worth of American farm products. This move increases tensions between the two biggest economies, edging them closer to a trade war. Yet, Chinese futures markets have shown strength and stayed steady.
TRUMP SLAMS ZELENSKYY: WAR OF WORDS OVER RUSSIA CONFLICT
President Donald Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his comments on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump’s remarks highlight international tensions and differing views on global conflicts. These events point to major challenges in international relations and trade today.
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US STEEL SHOCK: Government Grabs Control in Nippon Deal
— The U.S. government will keep tight control over U.S. Steel after Japan’s Nippon Steel agreed to buy the company for $14.9 billion. Senator Dave McCormick says a “golden share” gives Washington veto power over big decisions, easing fears about foreign ownership and national security.
The agreement promises an American CEO, a mostly U.S.-based board, and direct federal oversight of key operations. Nippon Steel also plans to invest $2.4 billion to upgrade plants and create thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania, giving local industry a boost.
President Trump now backs the deal — as long as headquarters stay in Pittsburgh and American control is locked in by the golden share rule. He called it an “investment” that keeps power with the USA, hoping this will calm critics from both parties.
Still, some lawmakers are wary about letting any foreign company near such a vital industry. Many are watching this deal closely as it could become a blueprint for protecting American interests during future foreign takeovers of important companies.
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