China Vows to ‘Fight to the End’ Over U.S. Tariff Threat

China pledged to “fight to the end” after President Trump threatened an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports, potentially raising total U.S. duties to over 100%.

“The U.S. threat is a mistake on top of a mistake,” said China’s Ministry of Commerce.

“If the U.S. insists on going its own way, China will fight to the end.”

Beijing has already imposed a 34% retaliatory tariff, and warned it will not yield to what it called U.S. “blackmail.”

Elon Musk Urges Trump to Drop China Tariffs

Tesla CEO Elon Musk personally urged President Trump to reverse new tariffs on Chinese imports, including a proposed 50% duty.

Despite Musk’s appeals, confirmed by multiple sources, Trump has not backed down.

Musk also voiced opposition publicly, sharing a video of Milton Friedman to promote free trade.

“Tariffs hurt U.S. businesses more than China,” said Musk ally Joe Lonsdale, echoing concerns from other tech leaders.

The standoff signals a rare rift between Trump and Musk, a major backer who contributed nearly $290 million to GOP campaigns in the last election.

Netanyahu’s visit to Washington ended abruptly and somewhat suspiciously.

The White House visit yielded no progress in negotiations or in lifting the tariffs imposed by Trump on Israel.

Source: Israeli Broadcasting Authority

Chinese Foreign Ministry:

If the United States insists on waging a trade war and imposing tariffs, China will fight to the end.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Israel’s current policy in Syria is one of provocation.

From a strategic and security standpoint, it doesn’t even serve Israel’s own interests.

If Israel perceives a security threat, it should articulate its concerns in a way that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another state.

Elon Musk:

They want to kill me for exposing their fraud and hurt Tesla for fighting government waste. Bad people do bad things.

Gaza: No Food, No Fuel, No Future

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly due to ongoing conflict and Israel’s blockade, in place since March 2, 2025.

Food
• All UN-supported bakeries have shut down; markets lack basic items like tomatoes, sugar, and oil.
• Families survive on one meal a day, and charitable food distributions have ceased.
• The World Food Programme will soon run out of aid, with only emergency biscuits left.

Medicine
• Hospitals are rationing painkillers and antibiotics, with supplies for pregnant women nearly gone.
• Over half of trauma hospitals are at or near capacity.
• Medical staff are forced to improvise with basic tools due to lack of equipment—even soap is scarce.

Other Essentials
• Fuel shortages have crippled hospitals, bakeries, and water systems.
• Clean water access is limited, raising major public health risks.

Response
• Aid agencies are pleading for international pressure on Israel to allow critical supplies.
• The Red Crescent continues emergency operations under extreme strain.

A counteroffensive against Al-Shabaab was launched in Abooreey this morning by the Somali government and allied local militias. Clashes are now ongoing within the settlement’s urban center.

Source: Aaga Cawllan

🇯🇵 Tokyo Stock Exchange closed up 6.02% today, rebounding after a sharp drop the previous day.

Mali closes its airspace to Algeria “as a reciprocal measure”.

NEW: Egypt and France sign €7 billion agreement to develop green hydrogen production facility.

NEW: China's state planner said that it held a meeting with private domestic companies, including Trina Solar, ride-hailing company Didi and Goertek, to hear suggestions about how to deal with additional U.S. tariffs.

Elon Musk gets trolled while attempting to live stream Path of Exile 2 from his private jet.

Trump Reportedly Plans Four Mile Military Parade for 79th Birthday

President Donald Trump is reportedly planning a military parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, which marks both his 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, according to Washington City Paper.

The parade would run about four miles from the Pentagon to the White House, though no formal request has yet been submitted to local authorities.

As war rages, Congo's neighbors smuggle out its gold and mineral wealth

Rwanda and Uganda are exploiting the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to smuggle out valuable minerals such as gold and coltan.

Armed groups, backed by governments, have seized eastern Congo's strategic mining areas. Global demand and high prices are fueling these operations.

• The M23 controls the coltan-rich town of Rubaya and earns about $800,000 a month from taxes and forced labor.
• Uganda has increased its military presence and trained local militias in the gold-mining areas, where the rebels earn up to $140 million a year.
• Congo's President Tshisekedi, overwhelmed and increasingly isolated, has sought U.S. support in exchange for access to critical minerals.

Source: WSJ

Netanyahu’s facial expressions after hearing Trump announce “direct talks with Iran will begin.”

Hackers attacked Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s social media on Tuesday, including by publishing a fake post that said troops had been attacked by the Russian army, CTK reported.

The incident on X is being analyzed, the newswire said, citing government spokeswoman Lucie Michut Jesatkova. All fake posts disappeared after “dozens of minutes,” according to CTK.

Source: Bloomberg

Brazilian President Lula da Silva says his country’s $350 billion cushion of reserves provides “peace of mind” against new U.S. tarriffs:

“Even if Trump says whatever he wants, we’re secure.”

Germany has temporarily suspended the resettlement of UN refugees, DPA reported.

Russia’s Medvedev:

Current situation rules out nuclear disarmament for decades.

Expect more destructive weapons, new states to go nuclear.

Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, the ruling Civic Coalition’s (PO) candidate, is leading ahead of Poland’s May 18 presidential election, with 36.2% to 38.3% support, according to two polls released Tuesday.

His main rivals are Karol Nawrocki of the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, polling between 20.1% and 22.6%, and Slawomir Mentzen of the far-right Confederation, with 17.4% to 18.8%.

If no one wins over 50%, a runoff between the top two candidates will be held on June 1.

Source: Reuters