JQJO — Politics news · Page 839

A Guatemalan woman who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border while eight months pregnant gave birth to a U.S. citizen baby in a hospital. Despite the baby's citizenship, both mother and child are being held by ICE and face deportation. The mother's lawyer has been denied access and seeks asylum. The case highlights the complexities of border enforcement and birthright citizenship, with Governor Hobbs intervening to oppose inhumane practices. The mother's lawyer believes both will be deported, despite the baby's US citizenship.

President Trump confirmed he won't remove Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair before 2026, despite calling him a "total stiff" and continuing to pressure for lower interest rates. Trump attributed the first-quarter economic contraction to Biden's policies, while claiming credit for positive economic indicators. He defended his tariffs, suggesting they ultimately benefit Americans, and hinted at the possibility of some becoming permanent. Trump's comments, while offering some market reassurance regarding Powell's position, further highlighted his mixed economic messaging and continued trade tensions.

Putin asserted that Russia doesn't need nuclear weapons in Ukraine, possessing sufficient conventional strength to achieve its objectives. He denied launching a full-scale invasion in 2014, claiming Russia sought peaceful Donbas resolution. Zelenskyy, however, expressed skepticism about Russia's ceasefire proposals, citing continued attacks despite promises. He highlighted the need for a longer-term ceasefire and emphasized the importance of continued military support from allies, particularly concerning the establishment of an F-16 training base. Overnight Russian drone attacks on Kyiv injured 11, including two children.

Moscow streets hosted rehearsals for Russia's Victory Day military parade, showcasing equipment like the Malva howitzer. Around 10,000 troops will participate in the May 9th parade, marking WWII's 80th anniversary. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend. The parade proceeds despite Ukrainian threats of targeting it unless Putin agrees to a 30-day ceasefire, coinciding with Trump's announced 2028 presidential bid.

Australian and Singaporean elections saw landslide victories for incumbent parties, largely attributed to voters' aversion to Trump's policies. In Australia, Labor's Albanese secured a second term, while the conservative coalition suffered historic losses. Similarly, Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) gained significant support, outperforming expectations and reversing recent declines. Both countries' winning parties positioned themselves as better equipped to handle the global uncertainty stemming from Trump's actions. The opposition parties in both nations, perceived as either too close to Trump or unprepared for global instability, faced significant setbacks.

Nicaragua withdrew from UNESCO after the organization awarded its World Press Freedom Prize to Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa. The Nicaraguan government, citing accusations of anti-patriotic sentiment and US interventionism by La Prensa, denounced the award. UNESCO's director-general expressed regret, highlighting the loss of cooperative benefits for Nicaragua. This withdrawal follows a history of strained relations between Nicaragua and UNESCO, mirroring previous US withdrawal and re-entry into the organization.

President Trump, in a recent interview, attributed the US economy's positive aspects to his policies and the negative aspects to President Biden's. Despite a CNN poll showing significant public pessimism about the economy and concerns about a recession, Trump claimed credit for lowering costs while implementing tariffs. He defended his tariffs, stating they would ultimately benefit the US, even as market volatility and concerns about potential recession have increased. Trump also reiterated his intention to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, despite legal limitations.

In a recent interview, President Trump dismissed the possibility of a third term, despite past suggestions. He instead mentioned Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors. While praising both men, Trump acknowledged a VP's inherent advantage in a presidential race. This comes after the sale of "Trump 2028" merchandise fueled speculation of a third-term bid, a prospect constitutionally barred by the 22nd Amendment.

Elon Musk's SpaceX secured approval to establish "Starbase," a new city in South Texas, with a 212-6 vote. The move, celebrated by Musk, allows SpaceX to potentially increase launches from 5 to 25 annually. However, critics express concern over Musk's increased control, particularly regarding potential closure of Boca Chica Beach and State Park to facilitate launches. State legislature bills aim to shift authority from Cameron County to Starbase's governance, a move opposed by some local officials who believe the existing collaboration is sufficient.

NPR and PBS heads are fighting back against the Trump administration's attempt to cut their taxpayer funding. An executive order aims to block funding, citing an outdated model of government-funded news and claims of bias. Both organizations are exploring legal options, warning of devastating consequences, especially for smaller stations and children's programming. They argue their programming includes diverse viewpoints and that the administration's claims are unfounded.