This Week's Surge: A Deep Dive into Political Drama

Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. Sign up for the Surge, the newsletter that covers most important political nonsense of the week, delivered to your inbox every Satur… [+11039 chars]

'King Donald': Economist Jeffrey Sachs Launches Scathing Critique on Trump's Tariff Policies

Jeffrey Sachs has strongly criticized Donald Trump's trade policies, deeming them "delusional" and economically damaging. Sachs estimates a $10 trillion loss in global wealth due to Trump's strategies, highlighting the president's misunderstanding of trade deficits and his imposition of tariffs based on flawed logic. He also points to automation, not trade, as the primary cause of manufacturing job losses.

Union Leaders Face Challenges Amidst Trump Administration Policies

Leaders of the union representing government workers say their battle is galvanizing but also alarming. “It’s insulting to say,” one said, “that we are lazy.”

Israeli Finance Minister Advocates for Total Occupation of Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Deceptive Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Shelling

‘Easter truce’ ordered by Putin on Saturday but Ukraine president says Russian army continuing efforts to advanceLuke Harding, a Guardian foreign correspondent, writes that the ceasefire declaration came amid reports that the White House was ready to recognise Russian control of Crimea as part of a broad US proposal to end the war in Ukraine.Here is an extract from his piece:According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the US may be willing to give Putin a strategic victory and to accept Russian control over the peninsula. In 2014, Russian special forces seized Crimea, which Putin annexed after a sham referendum.US diplomatic recognition would violate the UN charter and the post-1945 consensus that countries cannot seize territory by force. Most states, including the UK, have refused to recognise Russia’s illegal takeover. Continue reading...

Proposed White House Executive Order Aims to Overhaul State Department Operations

The draft executive order to be signed by President Trump would eliminate Africa operations and shut down bureaus working on democracy, human rights and refugee issues.

American Democracy at a Crossroads: The Consequences of Lawlessness and the Shifting Landscape of Reproductive Rights

Ever since March 15, when three flights carrying hundreds of men who had been afforded zero due process left United States airspace and landed in El Salvador, American democracy has been hurtling tow… [+1494 chars]

French Author Renaud Camus Barred from Entering the UK Amidst Free Speech Concerns

French philosopher Renaud Camus, known for his anti-immigration views and 'Great Replacement' theory, has been barred from entering the UK. No official reason was provided, but the Home Office said his presence wasn't "conducive to the public good." Camus, planning to appeal with the Free Speech Union's help, was scheduled for a speaking engagement.

Global Corporate Tax Deal Faces Setbacks as Trump Withdraws Support

Supreme Court Temporarily Halts Deportations of Venezuelans Under Historic Law

The Supreme Court on Saturday blocked, for now, the deportations of any Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th century wartime law. In a brief order, the court directed the Trump administr… [+5373 chars]

Upcoming Local Elections: A Crucial Test for Keir Starmer and Labour

Badenoch is braced for heavy losses in the local elections on 1 May, but as Labour stumbles and Greens and Lib Dems surge, the contest is wide openA byelection in a normally safe Labour seat was Keir Starmer’s first big electoral test as Labour leader. A similar scenario now provides his first test as prime minister. The loss of Hartlepool to Boris Johnson’s Conservatives in 2021 provoked the biggest crisis of Starmer’s time as opposition leader, forcing sweeping changes in personnel and approach. The loss of Runcorn and Helsby to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK could be similarly bruising. Labour ought to start as favourites, having won this socially mixed marginal corner of Cheshire by a massive margin less than a year ago. But with polls showing a Labour slump, a Reform surge and a restive, dissatisfied public, all bets are off.The Runcorn result will set the tone for this year’s round of local and mayoral elections. A Labour hold will take the pressure off a harried government; a Reform breakthrough will stoke the heat up further, boosting Farage’s claim to be parking his tanks on Labour’s lawn, and jangling the nerves of anxious Labour MPs in the restored “red wall”. While Farage may hurt Labour in Runcorn, it is the Conservatives who face the most pain in this year’s English local elections. Most are in blue-leaning parts of the Midlands and south, and the Tories swept the board when they were last contested in 2021, with Farage off the scene and the government riding a “vaccine bounce” in the polls. Nearly 1,000 Conservative councillors are up for re-election in May, and with Kemi Badenoch’s party polling below its disastrous showing last July, hundreds look set to lose their jobs. Nearly a year on from their worst ever general election result, the Conservatives still have further to fall. Continue reading...

U.S. Vice President JD Vance Meets with Vatican Officials Amid Tensions Over Immigration Policies

VATICAN CITY (AP) U.S. Vice President JD Vance is meeting with the Vatican No. 2 official, following a remarkable papal rebuke of the Trump administrations crackdown on migrants and Vances theologica… [+3863 chars]

Controversial Release of RFK Assassination Files Sparks Outrage from Family Members

Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F Kennedy Sr, has criticised the release of records related to her father's assassination. She has criticised the Trump administration and her brother, Robert F Kennedy Jr, for releasing the records. The released files included documents, notes by Sirhan Sirhan, and autopsy images. Kerry expressed her pain and linked the release to Trump-era actions.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance Begins Four-Day Visit to India to Strengthen Economic Ties

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is set to visit India on a four-day tour as the two countries seek to strengthen their partnership by negotiating a bilateral trade deal.

Orbn's Threat to Sanctions on Russian Assets Raises Concerns for EU and G7 Financial Stability

Foreign minister says unfreezing €210bn of Russian assets would leave Europe footing the bill for loans to Kyiv

Implications of the 2024 US Election for Egypt and the Gaza Conflict

Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has sought to kill proposal to expel population while preserving good relations with US president

Barbara Lee Wins Mayoral Race in Oakland, Marking a New Era for the City

Following Barbara Lee's victory in Oakland's mayoral race using ranked-choice voting, Donald Trump has strongly criticised the system, labeling it a "fraudulent joke" and a threat to democracy. Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank candidates by preference, potentially leading to broader appeal and reduced polarisation, though critics argue it can confuse voters and delay results.

Nationwide Protests Erupt Against Trump Administration Policies