Author: LoveWorld UK

STRONG WINDS IN NEW ZEALAND CAUSE FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS- NIWA says average wind speeds have reached 54 mph in Wellington Strong Winds In New Zealand Cause Flight Cancellations. New Zealand today grounded flights as the country faces extreme weather, including in its capital Wellington, which is facing the strongest winds, according to its government weather agency. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said average wind speeds have reached as high as 87 kilometres an hour (54 mph) in Wellington, the strongest since 2013, while wind gusts at Baring Head hit 160 kilometres an hour (99 mph). Parts of…

U.S. & UKRAINE SIGN DEAL TO ESTABLISH RECONSTRUCTION INVESTMENT FUND – Trump says he has ‘potential deals’ with India, South Korea, Japan In a breakthrough that aligns with President Trump’s push for peace and economic stability in Eastern Europe, The United States and Ukraine signed an agreement to establish a joint reconstruction investment fund, granting U.S. firms priority access to new investment projects involving key Ukrainian resources such as oil and natural gas. This economic partnership positions the two countries to work collaboratively and invest together to ensure that their mutual assets, talent, and capabilities can accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery,…

AMERICAN SHIPPING PORTS BRACE FOR TARIFFS – Authorities at the Port of Oakland are “closely monitoring” changes in traffic following Trump’s tariff announcements Authorities at the Port of Oakland told reporters that they are “closely monitoring” changes in traffic following President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements. Officials say that vessel service reductions — known as “blank sailings,” where shipping lines cancel scheduled voyages or skip ports — have increased. The Port of Oakland is the nation’s ninth busiest by container volume, and in 2023, about 74% of the port’s trade was with Asia, according to its website. In a statement, a…

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS OPERATING PROFIT RISES IN 1ST QUARTER – Customers concerned about U.S. tariffs rushed to purchase smartphones & commodity chips Samsung Electronics reported a small rise in first-quarter operating profit, as customers concerned about U.S. tariffs rushed to purchase smartphones and commodity chips, mitigating the impact of its underperforming artificial intelligence chip business. Samsung did not give its earnings outlook for the current quarter, saying “growing macroeconomic uncertainties due to recent global trade tensions and slowing global economic growth” make “it difficult to predict future performance.” The world’s largest memory chip maker reported 6.7 trillion won in operating profit…

EU COURT RULES AGAINST MALTA’S GOLDEN PASSPORT SCHEME- The court said the scheme eroded mutual trust between member states The European Court of Justice on Tuesday said Malta needs to end its golden passport program that allows wealthy foreigners to buy citizenship, as it is an infringement of EU law. The EU Commission in 2022 took Malta to court over the scheme, which grants foreigners a passport and thereby the right to live and work in any EU country in return for an investment of around 1 million euros. The court said that although member states can determine how they…

PM ALBANESE SAYS AUSTRALIA NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND ITSELF -Australia’s national election is set for May 3 Australia needs to be able to defend itself, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday when asked whether Donald Trump’s return to power in the United States meant Australia should review its defence strategy. Australia deepened its long-standing military alliance with the United States under President Joe Biden, including through the AUKUS agreement, a four-decade defence project to buy and build nuclear powered submarines. Asked after delivering a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra if change was needed, Albanese…

TRUMP CELEBRATES THE MOST SUCCESSFUL 100 DAYS IN OFFICE –  ‘Of any administration in the history of our country’, Trump says President Donald Trump commemorated his first 100 days in office at an event in Michigan where he described a series of major economic wins. The rally in the politically competitive state, the hub of the U.S. auto industry, was the largest event hosted by Trump since his January 20 inauguration. ‘And we’re here tonight in the heartland of our nation to celebrate the most successful first 100 days of any administration in the history of our country’, Trump said. …

TRUMP TO REDUCE IMPACT OF AUTO TARIFFS – Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made the statement from the White House U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration will move to reduce the impact of his automotive tariffs by alleviating some duties imposed on foreign parts in domestically manufactured cars and keeping tariffs on cars made abroad from piling on top of other ones, officials said. “President Trump is building an important partnership with both the domestic automakers and our great American workers,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a statement from the White House. “This deal is a major victory for the President’s…

UK-US TRADE TALKS ARE “MOVING IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY” – Trump’s Press Secretary Leavitt confirmed negotiations are advancing well Trade negotiations between the United Kingdom and the United States are showing promising progress, according to the White House, offering renewed optimism for a long-anticipated agreement that could provide economic relief and deepen transatlantic ties. Speaking at a recent press briefing, President Donald Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, addressed questions on the current state of UK-US trade discussions. Leavitt confirmed that negotiations are advancing well, although she stopped short of offering specific details or a timeline for a final deal.…

GERMANY TO STEP UP MILITARY ROLE IN NATO – President Steinmeier says  Germany will strive to uphold NATO’s regional plans. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated today that NATO can count on Berlin to step up its contribution to the defence of Europe as the Atlantic alliance faces a more uncertain future than 70 years ago when Germany became a member, Speaking at a ceremony at NATO’s Brussels headquarters to mark the anniversary, Steinmeier sought to reassure allies rattled by what he called “epochal” geopolitical shifts. Germany has approved plans for a massive spending surge as Friedrich Merz prepares to take…