President Donald Trump has repeatedly said his war against Iran is intended to prevent Tehran from ever getting a nuclear weapon. But when it comes to core nuclear issues, he risks ending up with a worse deal than the one he abandoned in his first term.
More than 120 organizations issued a travel warning for the United States on Thursday, telling those who want to visit for the FIFA World Cup to use caution amid the Trump administration's heightened immigration enforcement measures.
While the Trump administration has reportedly tried to rein in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s widely unpopular anti-vaccine agenda, the political strategy is not working when it comes to words or actions. Kennedy on Tuesday suggested he would continue to meddle with federal vaccine policy, and news broke Wednesday that his political appointees have discarded scientific data that conflicts with Kennedy's anti-vaccine views.
President Donald Trump's erratic moves aren't helping. read more
Administration officials on Wednesday softened their predictions of an end to the Iran war and its turbulent effects on energy prices.
@#9 ... They just chose not to close it so long as no one started a war with them. ...
OK I asked a search engine about the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, with a date restriction that ended in 2024.
This article appeared ...
Trump: If Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, it's not going to be closed for long' (June 2019)
www.cnbc.com
... President Donald Trump said Friday that if Iran were to block the Strait of Hormuz, "it's not going to be closed for long," but he did not elaborate on whether the United States had an obligation to keep open the international shipping gateway, which is critical to the oil industry.
"They're not going to be closing [the strait]," Trump said in response to a hypothetical question during a telephone interview on "Fox and Friends."
"They know it, and they've been told in very strong terms. We want to get them back at the table, if they want to go back," he said, referring to the administration's ongoing efforts to start bilateral negotiations on a new nuclear deal with Iran.
"I'm ready when they are, but whenever they're ready, it's OK. And in the meantime, I'm in no rush. I'm in no rush," he added. ...
@#86 ... Since 2016 the SPLC has not designated a single Muslim, Marxist or any left center group as a "hate group". ...
... and your current trolling alias' point is?
From the About page ...
www.splcenter.org
... The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. ...
So, the main focus seems to be on white supremacy.
No wonder the GOP seems to have issues with the SPLC.
Speaking of Pres Trump bailing out entities ...
There's this ...
Trump Considers Bailing Out His Family's Major Business Partner
newrepublic.com
... The Trump administration is considering a bailout for the United Arab Emirates over economic losses sustained as a result of the U.S. war with Iran.
The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that UAE officials are speaking with the White House about providing financial relief, such as a currency swap, if their economy takes an even bigger hit during the war. Khaled Mohamed Balama, governor of the UAE's central bank, raised the issue in meetings with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week. UAE officials reportedly have said their finances are OK for now, but they could need help in the future.
In an interview with CNBC Monday morning, Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said that while he hadn't spoken directly with Bessent about it, if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and continues to hurt the UAE's economy, the Trump administration would be willing to provide help.
"The UAE has been an incredibly valuable ally throughout this effort, and I am sure that the treasury secretary will make every effort to help them out should that be necessary," Hassett said. ...
@#5 ... But now, it does not seem to be just America.
Look at what he has done to the global economy because of his war with Iran. ...
Asia Energy Squeeze Worsens as Supply Cushion Melts
oilprice.com
... Asian countries have been buying all the oil they can get their hands on since the Strait of Hormuz shut down for business. Thanks to ample supply of seaborne crude oil, mostly consisting of sanctioned Russian and Iranian crude, the shock from the fallout of the war has been somewhat mitigated -- but not for long. As that supply runs out, the shock is looming ever larger. ...
The poorer Asian nations have been the first to start running out of options. Because of limited financial resources, these nations have not been able to build the kind of oil reserve that their wealthier neighbors have now tapped to deal with the crisis. Several countries in Southeast Asia have begun implementing energy austerity measures, with the Philippines declaring a national energy emergency. ...
-- and --
Sri Lanka announces 4-day work week, declares Wednesdays off to save fuel amid Hormuz crisis
www.msn.com
... Sri Lanka has moved to a four-day workweek as part of emergency measures to conserve fuel reserves amid a deepening global energy crisis triggered by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. According to the BBC, the Sri Lankan government has declared one additional day each week as a holiday for public institutions, effectively cutting the workweek to four days for many sectors. Starting March 18, Wednesdays are declared public holidays, reducing transportation fuel consumption. ...
I could go on ...
Related?
New York hotel bookings are showing no sign of World Cup boost
www.msn.com
... New York's hotel industry has spent years dreaming of this year's FIFA World Cup as a cash cow that will fill the city with free-spending visitors. But seven weeks before kickoff, hoteliers are increasingly worried about the lack of a tournament bump.
City hotels have sold just 18% of available rooms between June 13, date of the first match at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, and July 19, when the venue hosts the World Cup final. The comparable figure this time a year ago was 26%, according to data compiled by CoStar Group Inc. earlier this month. ...
@#9
Also ...
Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz (2008)
www.belfercenter.org