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Kazakhstan President replaces Ministers of Defence and Transport
Kassym Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, replaced two ministers from his government on Sunday, including that of transport, whom he had previously criticised for delays in modernising infrastructure. According to the decrees posted on his website, he fired Defence Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov. He replaced him with Zhaksylykov’s deputy and Air Defence Forces Chief Dauren Kosanov. Tokayev, who met Kosanov Sunday, gave him several orders, including enhancing the army's readiness for combat, increasing the capabilities of Special Operations Forces and modernising its infrastructure. Zhaksylykov was previously the deputy interior minister and the head of the National Guard. He was appointed Defence Minister after civil unrest in 2022, which had been triggered by the removal a fuel price cap. The authorities were forced to call troops from an alliance led by Russia of former Soviet countries to quell a protest that grew into a widespread protest against economic hardship and corruption. Tokayev has also dismissed Transport Minister Marat Karabayev, whom he had reprimanded for transport and logistical problems in May. Karabayev's successor is still unknown. The reasons for the reshuffle were not revealed by the president. (Reporting and writing by Tamara Vaal, editing by Alexandra Hudson).
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After the presidential election, Poles march to demand equality for LGBTQ+ after fears are raised
On Saturday, thousands of Poles marched in Gdansk's northern port to show their support for the LGBTQ+ Community amid concerns for its future following the election of nationalist candidate Karol Nawarocki. Participants waved the rainbow flags as well as the blue, white, and pink banners that represent the transgender communities. Many participants carried placards with messages like "Love is Love" and "12 Years Together - When Civil Partnership?" Wroclaw, a western city, also hosted a parallel Pride event. Nawrocki's support by the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), has caused alarm among LGBTQ+ activists. While in power between 2015 and 2023, PiS made opposition against what it called "LGBTQ+ ideologies" a key part of its program, framing them as a danger to traditional values in a predominantly Catholic country. Agata, a 23-year old student, said: "I was devastated. "I'm scared. "I don't know how our future will look." While LGBTQ+ issues were not as prominent in Nawrocki’s campaign as they were in the one of his PiS-backed successor Andrzej duda's in 2020, Nawrocki’s platform included promises to resist “ideology in school" and to oppose adopting same-sex couples. He stated that marriage is between a man a woman, and while rejecting civil partnership, he expressed his willingness to discuss the legal recognition of a "close" person, regardless of their sexual orientation. A pro-European coalition, which came to power in the year 2023, introduced a bill that would legalise civil partnership. The bill's fate is uncertain, however, as the presidency has veto powers. Agata expressed her hope that a civil partnership law could be implemented, but said it was unlikely to happen during Nawrocki’s presidency. She said, "I want to see more equality in society and in our country."
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Horse racing-Lambourn wins Epsom Derby for O'Brien
The front-running Lambourn won the Epsom Derby in its 246th edition on Saturday. It was Aidan O'Brien's 11th victory in this race, which is a new record. Lambourn was 13-2 when he entered the race. He set off at a blazing gallop, and under Wayne Lordan he broke away from the rest of the field to stay unchallenged until the finish line. The Epsom Derby, which is run over a horseshoe-shaped course, is the ultimate test of speed and stamina for thoroughbreds. The Lion in Winter and Delacroix were not the favourites of O'Brien. Delacroix was ridden by Ryan Moore. O'Brien dismissed claims that the colt had been overlooked during the preparation for the race. He said: "Wayne was aggressive right out of the gate, he gained a good position." "I knew that Wayne was not going to give back any of the inches he had gained, and it would be difficult to beat him." O'Brien, the Derby's most-successful trainer, won the Oaks and Derby double after Minnie Hauk, the fillies' Classic winner on Friday, beat the previously unbeaten favorite Desert Flower to third place. Lambourn’s win was also the first British Classic victory for jockey Wayne Lordan, who has been working at Ballydoyle since around eight years. He said, "I knew that he'd had a good run, and his ears were pricked, but he still had plenty of energy left. I knew anyone who got to me had to be in great shape, or it would be a tough time for them." It is the best race for a jockey who wants to get started. All you want to do in life is win the Derby." Lazy Griff (50-1), who had been tracking the leaders along the inside rail of the track, finished second. Charlie Johnston, the trainer of the colt, said before the race that he hoped more rain would fall on the colt. He said, "We were delighted to see him in Chester. His preparation was interrupted and we knew that he would be ready for anything he did on that day. And he also had a smoother transition into this." Tennessee Stud, the 28-1 long shot for trainer Joseph O'Brien's son Aidan, came in third. Ruling Court, 2,000 Guineas champion, withdrew from the race because of the predicted rain. However, the rain held off until the Derby.
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Trump signs an order to boost US drone defenses and boost supersonic flights
The White House announced that President Donald Trump signed executive orders on Friday to strengthen U.S. defences against drones, and to promote electric air taxis as well as supersonic commercial planes. Trump's three executive orders sought to allow drones to be used routinely beyond the sight of the operator - an important step in enabling commercial drone delivery - reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese drone companies, and advance test electric vertical takeoff-and-landing aircraft. The order will boost eVTOL companies such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation. Trump has established a federal taskforce to ensure U.S. sovereignty over the skies of America, to expand restrictions on sensitive sites, to expand federal technology to detect drones instantly, and to provide assistance to local and state law enforcement. Michael Kratsios is the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He said that Trump wants to deal with the "growing threats of criminal terrorists and the foreign misuse of drones" in U.S. Airspace. We are protecting our borders against national security threats in the air and with major public events like the Olympics and World Cup coming up. The National Football League said that the executive order was crucial to protect fans. Over the last few years, a growing number of drones has flown in restricted airspace at our games. The NFL stated that this executive order was the most important step taken to address this issue. Congress should also act. Sebastian Gorka is the senior director for counterterrorism in the National Security Council. He cited threats against major U.S. sports events and the use of drones by Russia in its war in Ukraine. Gorka stated that "we will increase our counter-drone capability and capacity." We will enforce the current laws more aggressively to deter evildoers as well as idiots. Last year, the issue of suspicious drones gained significant attention after a spate of sightings of drones in New Jersey. Each month, the Federal Aviation Administration receives over 100 reports of drone sightings near airports. Drone sightings can disrupt flights and sporting events. Trump has also ordered the FAA lift an old ban on supersonic flights over land, which was imposed in 1973. Environmentalists have criticized supersonic aircraft for burning more fuel than subsonic planes per passenger. Kratsios stated that "the reality is Americans should be able fly from New York City to Los Angeles in less than four hours." The advancements in material science, aerospace engineering and noise reduction have made supersonic overland flight possible. It is also safe, sustainable, and commercially viable. The order instructs FAA that supersonic speeds will be lifted as long as the aircraft does not create an audible boom on the ground. Boom Supersonic, a manufacturer of aircrafts, welcomed the decision. Blake Scholl said, "The race to supersonic speed is on, and a new age of commercial flights can begin." After 27 years, the Concorde was retired by Air France and British Airways in 2003, ending the era of commercial supersonic flight. Officials confirmed that the Trump orders did not ban any Chinese drone companies. Former President Joe Biden had signed legislation last year that would have banned DJI and Autel Robotics, both based in China, from selling drones to the U.S. DJI is the largest drone manufacturer in the United States, selling more than half of commercial drones. Reporting by David Shepardson, Washington Editing by Matthew Lewis
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Sources: US considers giving millions of dollars to controversial Gaza Aid Foundation
According to two sources with knowledge and two former U.S. government officials, the State Department is considering giving $500 million to a new foundation that provides aid to Gaza after the war. This would further involve the U.S. in an aid effort that's been plagued by violence and chaos. Sources and former U.S. government officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue said that the money for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation would come from USAID, which is now part of the U.S. State Department. Two sources claim that the plan was met with resistance by some U.S. officials who were concerned about the shootings of Palestinians in the vicinity of aid distribution sites, and the GHF's competence. GHF has been criticized for its alleged lack neutrality by many humanitarian organizations including the United Nations. Last week, they began to distribute aid amid warnings from UN agencies that Gaza's population of 2.3 million is at risk of starvation after an 11-week Israeli blockade. This was lifted on 19 May when limited deliveries could resume. After crowds flooded its distribution hubs, the foundation had to stop handing out food twice in a week. GHF and the State Department did not respond immediately to comments. It has not been possible to determine who currently funds the GHF's operations in Gaza, which began last week. The GHF relies on private U.S. logistics and security companies to transport the aid into Gaza, where it is distributed at so-called secure sites. On Thursday, it was reported that McNally Capital, a Chicago-based firm of private equity, had an "economic stake" in a for-profit U.S. contractor who oversees the logistics and security at GHF's distribution hubs. Both the U.S. administration of Donald Trump and Israel, which denies funding the GHF operation and the international aid groups have pressed the United Nations to assist it. Israel and the U.S. claim that Hamas received aid from a U.N. network with a long history. Hamas denies that. USAID is all but gone. About 80 percent of USAID's programs have been cancelled and its staff faces termination in President Donald Trump’s effort to align U.S. Foreign Policy with his “America First” agenda. According to a source familiar with the matter, and a former senior official who helped oversee USAID's dismemberment, Ken Jackson has championed the idea of giving $500 million to GHF. Sources said Israel had requested funds to cover GHF's operation for 180 days. The Israeli government didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Two sources claim that the U.S. government is concerned about the plan due to the violence and overcrowding at the GHF contractor's aid distribution hubs. Sources said that if State Department approves funds for GHF they also want established non-governmental organisations experienced in running aid missions in Gaza and other places to be included in the operation. Israel will likely oppose this position, according to the sources. Gaza Hospital officials reported that more than 80 people were killed and hundreds injured near GHF distribution points between June 3 and 6. The GHF opened three hubs since it began its operation. However, in the last two days, two of these hubs have been operational. Israeli soldiers were blamed by witnesses for the deaths. On two days the Israeli military claimed that it had fired warning shots, but on Tuesday they said that soldiers fired at Palestinian'suspects' advancing toward their positions. (Reporting and editing by Don Durfee, Alistair Bell, Michelle Nichols)
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The US Supreme Court has granted DOGE access to Social Security Data
The U.S. Supreme Court granted the Department of Government Efficiency (DGE), a key player behind President Donald Trump's plan to reduce the federal workforce by slashing the number of federal employees, access to millions of Americans' personal data in the Social Security Administration database while the legal case is being litigated. The Justice Department requested that the Justices suspend the order of U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Hollander, based in Maryland, which had blocked DOGE from accessing "personally identifiable data" such as financial and medical records. This is while the litigation in the lower court proceeds. Hollander determined that giving DOGE full access to data would likely violate federal privacy laws. The court's unsigned, brief order didn't provide any rationale to support DOGE. The court is conservatively majority 6-3. Three of the court's liberal justices were dissidents. DOGE was sweeping through federal agencies in the Republican President's effort spearheaded by Elon Musk to eliminate federal positions, downsize, reshape and reform the U.S. Government and root out wasteful spending. Musk officially ended his government job on May 30. Two labor unions, an advocacy group and the Social Security Administration (SSA) sued DOGE to prevent it from accessing sensitive information at the SSA. This includes Social Security numbers of Americans, bank data, tax data, earnings histories and immigration records. The agency provides government benefits to over 70 million people, including retired Americans and Americans with disabilities. The plaintiffs in their lawsuit alleged that the Social Security Administration was "ransacked", that DOGE members were installed without proper training or vetting, and demanded that they be given access to the most sensitive data systems of the agency. Hollander, in a ruling dated April 17, found that DOGE failed to explain its stated mission which required "unprecedented and unfettered access" to virtually the entire SSA data systems. Hollander wrote: "For about 90 years, SSA was guided by a foundational principle that an expectation of privacy in relation to its records." This case exposes an extensive crack in the foundation. Hollander issued an injunction prohibiting DOGE staffers, and anyone who worked with them, from accessing personal data. There were only a few exceptions. In the judge's decision, DOGE affiliates can access data stripped of personal information as long they have undergone training and cleared background checks. Hollander also ordered DOGE affiliated companies to "disgorge" and "erase" any personal data they already possess. Richmond, Virginia's 4th U.S. The Circuit Court of Appeals, in a vote of 9-6 on April 30, declined to pause Hollander’s block on DOGE’s unlimited access to Social Security Administration Records. In a filing to the Supreme Court, lawyers for Justice Department characterized Hollander’s order as judicial excess. The court ordered the executive branch not to allow employees who are responsible for modernizing government systems of information access the data stored in these systems, because in its opinion, the employees in question do not "need" such access. The six dissenting judge wrote that this case should have treated the same way as the 4th Circuit panel ruling 2-1 to allow DOGE access to data at the U.S. Treasury Department, Education Department and Office of Personnel Management. Seven judges who ruled against DOGE in a concurring decision wrote that the case regarding Social Security data had "vastly higher stakes" and "detailed Social Security records", such as school and family records for children, mental health records, and credit card details. (Reporting and editing by Diane Craft, Alistair Bell and John Kruzel)
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Abrego Garcia, a man mistakenly deported to the US and facing charges, returns to the US
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man who was mistakenly sent from Maryland to El Salvador under the Trump administration has returned to the United States and will face criminal charges. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced this on Friday. Abrego Garcia has been charged with conspiracy to transport illegal immigrants in the United States in a federal court indictment in Tennessee. Court records show that the indictment was filed more than two months following Abrego Garcia’s deportation on March 15, according to court records. Andrew Rossman, Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, stated in a press release that it was now up to the U.S. judiciary system to ensure that he received a fair trial. "Today's actions prove what we knew all along -- the administration had the capability to bring him home and simply refused to do so," Rossman, a lawyer at Quinn Emanuel said. Court records reveal that Abrego Garcia was deported from El Salvador despite a 2019 order by an immigration judge granting him protection against deportation after finding that he would be persecuted if he returned to El Salvador. The erroneous removal was cited by critics of President Donald Trump as an example that the Republican president is overly aggressive in his approach to increasing deportations. The officials countered that Abrego was a MS-13 member. His lawyers denied that Abrego was a gang member and stated that he hadn't been charged or convicted for any crime. The case of Abrego Garcia has become a flashpoint for tensions between Trump's executive branch and judiciary. Both have ruled against some of Trump’s policies. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration must facilitate Abrego's Garcia's return. Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the government did not have a basis for his "warrantless detention." U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis opened a probe to determine what the Trump administration did, if any, to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return after his attorneys accused officials of stonewalling them in their request for information. In addition, Abrego Garca and two other unidentified conspirators are charged with illegally transporting firearms purchased in Texas to Maryland for resale. According to the indictment, Abrego Garcia also transported illegal drugs purchased in Texas and resold in Maryland. He was sometimes accompanied by MS-13 members and associates on these trips. (Reporting from Ryan Patrick Jones, Sarah N. Lynch and Luc Cohen in Washington; additional reporting by Nate Raymond and Tom Hals in Wilmington; editing by Sandra Maler.)
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Gol plans to expand its fleet and add new routes after exiting Chapter 11.
Celso Ferrer, the Chief executive officer of Brazilian airline Gol, said that the company had officially exited bankruptcy proceedings in the United States, paving the way for new routes and flights within Brazil as well as to other countries. Gol, the Brazilian airline after Latam, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States in 2024. The sector was struggling with heavy debts, a sharp decline in passenger numbers due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and delays in aircraft deliveries. Azul, Gol's competitor, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States last month. Ferrer stated that despite Azul's financial troubles, discussions over a possible partnership between the airline and Gol continue. A final deal will only be made if the partnership adds value, either through new routes or increased growth. "If it's better," he said. Abra Group is managing the discussions regarding the business merger, which was formalized by a memorandum last January. Abra Group is the majority shareholder in Colombia's Avianca and Gol. Luciana Magnalhaes, Luciana Andreoni and Manuela Andreoni contributed to this report.
Trump dislikes Biden's climate law. His allies are generating income from it
Donald Trump has actually guaranteed to gut U.S. President Joe Biden's. environment aids if elected. However much of Trump's allies are. taking advantage of them thanks to huge investments in solar power,. electrical lorries, carbon sequestration, hydrogen and other. clean energy technologies.
Reuters found at least 7 of Trump's close allies and. charity events, or the companies they run, hold hundreds of countless. dollars-worth of stakes in companies that are significant. beneficiaries of the tax breaks embedded in the Inflation. Reduction Act, Biden's signature climate law.
They include Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner; his former. ambassador to China and continued ally Terry Branstad; and. companies run by informal energy advisor and oil magnate Harold. Hamm and powerful booster Howard Lutnick.
Big oil companies like Occidental Petroleum and. Energy Transfer, whose CEOs hosted a May fundraising event in. Houston for Trump's campaign with Hamm, likewise hold major. investments in projects that may just be feasible if Biden's tidy. energy tax credits make it through.
And Tesla, whose creator and CEO Elon Musk has actually been. improving Trump's campaign, is likewise benefiting massively from the. IRA's EV and solar credits.
Together, these individuals and business hold billions of. dollars in investments that receive the individual retirement account's financially rewarding tax. credits and stand to lose big if Trump is able to follow through. on his promise to gut Biden's climate law, according to Reuters. reporting.
The financial investments are very important due to the fact that they raise the. likelihood some of Trump's allies may ask him to maintain. elements of Biden's climate law if he wins the November election. against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. That would include. influential voices to some of the trade groups and legislators. that have actually currently stood up in favor of specific IRA subsidies.
None of individuals or business recognized were. willing to comment for this story on whether they would. intervene to preserve parts of the individual retirement account.
For the time being, Trump's intentions are clear.
My plan will end the Green New Offer, which I call the. Green New Rip-off, and rescind all unspent funds under the misnamed. Inflation Reduction Act, Trump stated when he unveiled elements. of his economic policy platform in a speech in September.
Trump Campaign Senior Advisor Brian Hughes told Reuters a. broad rollback of the IRA stays a leading concern if he wins the. Nov. 5 election, arguing the package has actually contributed to. inflation and broadened the deficit.
Rescinding any part of the individual retirement account would require an act of. Congress.
A group of 18 Republican legislators representing districts. that have drawn IRA-linked financial investments sent a letter to Home. Speaker Mike Johnson in August prompting him against withdrawing all. of the IRA if the party wins control of your home and Senate.
The White Home stated the individual retirement account produced more than 330,000 tasks. and that gutting it would hurt financial investments made in Republican. states.
By some price quotes, more of this investment is taking place in. red and purple states, White Home representative Angelo. Hernandez stated.
The Biden administration has actually currently worked to provide the. large bulk of IRA grants, however the law's tax credits are set. to continue for many years.
Other financiers and business involved in tidy energy. tasks are hopeful that Trump's campaign rhetoric gives way to. usefulness, must he win in November.
Innovators and energy companies we deal with want policy. predictability. They are making numerous millions in. investments due to the fact that of the individual retirement account, said Jeremy Harrell, CEO of. Washington-based conservative clean energy organization. ClearPath.
Frank Wolak, president of the Fuel Cell & & Hydrogen Energy. Association, stated it will be necessary for Congress to safeguard. the tax credits if Trump wins the election.
We're going to simply do some hard informing on the individual retirement account to. our congressional allies, he stated.
ALLIES WITH IRA ADVANTAGES
- MOSAIC
Trump's son-in-law and previous governmental advisor. Kushner's private equity fund Affinity Partners in 2022 invested. $ 200 million in Mosaic, a California-based supplier of financing. for solar energy and home performance enhancements, according to. financial investment information supplier PitchBook.
Established in 2011 as a crowdfunding startup, the business got a. increase from the individual retirement account's 30% tax credit for property solar, as. well as its customer rewards for photovoltaic panels, electrical heat. pumps and other efficiencies by raising consumer interest for. its clean energy loans.
- TOP CARBON SOLUTIONS
Oil tycoon Harold Hamm has actually long been an energy adviser and. political financier for Republican political leaders, consisting of Trump,. and in May hosted a Houston fundraiser for Trump's third. presidential project.
His company Continental Resources in 2022 made a $250. million strategic investment into Top Carbon Solutions, a. carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project that will capture. CO2 from ethanol plants and other commercial sources in the. Midwest.
That project relies on the 45Q tax credit for numerous types. of CCS, which the individual retirement account increased greatly across the board.
Though the project was proposed before the individual retirement account was checked in. 2022, the enhanced tax credits could yield a $2.9 billion. windfall for Summit's financiers, according to Jake Schwitzer,. director of policy group North Star Policy Action.
Previous Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who acted as Trump's. ambassador to China and stays a staunch ally, is Top's. primary policy consultant.
- TESLA
Tesla is a huge recipient of IRA tax credits. The. electrical lorry and solar business called the plan a. substantial increase towards accelerating our objective soon. after it passed into law in 2022, in spite of CEO Musk's public. hostility toward aids.
- OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM
In addition to co-hosting the Texas fundraising event for Trump in. May, Occidental CEO Vicki Hollub went to a separate charity event. comprised of energy executives at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in. April. These events generated tens of millions for Trump's. campaign.
Occidental is a recipient of the 45Q carbon capture tax. credit and is a recipient of an Energy Department grant of. nearly $1 billion to construct a direct air capture (DAC) hub to. show that nascent innovation at scale. The company has. touted its technique to market so-called net-zero barrels of. oil.
In May, Hollub stated in a statement to Reuters: I have actually been. speaking with policymakers on both sides of the aisle, and will. continue to talk with them, to express our support for 45Q,. because it will help establish innovations like direct air. capture which eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from the. atmosphere and safeguard America's energy security.
- ENERGY TRANSFER
Energy Transfer's CEO Kelcy Warren is a long-time supporter. of Trump. The pipeline operator also takes part in projects. supported by IRA tax credits, including two organized Louisiana. CCS hubs, and a hydrogen hub in Texas that just recently won just. over $1 billion in Energy Department funding.
- CANTOR FITZGERALD
Trump's transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick is the. CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a major monetary services company that. has actually made substantial investments in business that benefit from. the individual retirement account.
As shift co-chair, Lutnick is playing an essential role in the. search for top-level appointees to staff a possible Trump. administration, and he has actually likewise functioned as a high-dollar. charity event for Trump.
Amongst the companies that Cantor Fitzgerald has invested in. that have benefited considerably from the individual retirement account are Invenergy, a. renewable energy company that is the top constituent of the Cantor. Fitzgerald Facilities Fund.
The infrastructure fund has over $150 million in total web. possessions, according to a July news release, and its financial investment in. Invenergy consists of 14.65% of that fund's overall investments.
The fund is likewise heavily invested in NextEra Energy,. the biggest U.S. renewable resource designer.
Both companies have praised the IRA as practical to their. businesses.
Cantor Fitzgerald has over $13 billion in possessions under. management and offers a broad selection of financial services.
(source: Reuters)