United States President Donald Trump said the National Guard is doing a “great job” in Los Angeles after he deployed it there to quell protests against his administration’s handling of immigrants. However, the New York Times reported that no members of the National Guard have been seen in the area. Trump accused California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of being “incompetent” in dealing with the demonstrations. He also claimed the protests were started by “instigators and often paid troublemakers” and said that demonstrators will not be allowed to wear masks.
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Trump: Great job by National Guard in LA
June 8, 2025
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Trump says Iran should ‘stop enriching’
June 7, 2025
United States President Donald Trump threatened that if Iran did not stop enriching uranium, the US would stop it “the other way” during an interview on Air Force One.
When asked about comments made by Ayatollah Khomeini that Iran has to enrich uranium, Trump responded, saying that “no, they won’t be enriching,” because “if they enrich, then we’re going to have to do it the other way.”
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Oil Bulls Bite Back as Prices Defy Expectations
June 4, 2025
- OPEC+ confirmed another 411,000 bpd production increase for July, but oil prices rose instead of falling.
- Additional supply disruptions from Alberta wildfires and strong seasonal demand expectations helped offset concerns over weaker Asian oil imports.
- Analysts expect demand to rise into the summer, with ING and Goldman Sachs both citing tighter market conditions
OPEC+ did what everyone expected it to do last weekend, announcing another production ramp-up. Prices, however, did something that not everyone expected them to do: they went up. All eyes are now on demand—and the disruption of supply. The eight members of OPEC+ that were keeping their production of crude oil under restraints agreed on Saturday to add another 411,000 barrels daily to their combined total in July after making identical agreements for May and June. The news followed speculation reported by the media that the cartel could add more barrels this time just to teach everyone a lesson. That speculation had weakened prices. The OPEC+ decision essentially had no effect on them. But events that coincided with the OPEC+ meeting did have an effect.
First, there was the Ukrainian drone attack on targets within Russia. The attack prompted expectations of more, with the targets this time part of Russia’s oil infrastructure, leading to supply disruptions.
Then there is the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, which just got more unlikely, with media reporting Iran was about to reject the latest proposal of the United States. This, in turn, means, that U.S. sanctions against the country will remain in place, notably the noose around Iran’s oil industry. Iran was not going to agree to completely halt its uranium enrichment activities, which the U.S. has proposed as a condition for reaching a deal, Reuters reported, so the prospect of a deal became distant again.To add to the bullish developments, wildfire season in Alberta has started prompting production shutdowns, to date affecting more than 340,000 barrels daily. This is equal to 7% of the total, Reuters noted, but it has been enough to fuel a price rally—and imply that demand for oil is healthier than many like to argue. Once again, oil market players were reminded that it’s not so important what this forecaster or another says about demand and how global supply exceeds it. It’s important what happens in the real, physical world, and in that world, demand for oil remains as robust as it has been since the end of the pandemic lockdowns, the gradual weakening of China’s appetite for crude notwithstanding. “Demand is set to pick up as we move into the summer months, suggesting prices are likely to remain relatively well supported,” ING commodity analysts wrote in a new note today, after earlier this week Goldman Sachs somewhat grudgingly acknowledged seasonal oil demand patterns that point to equally stronger prices ahead. “Relatively tight spot oil fundamentals, beats in hard global activity data, and seasonal summer support to oil demand suggest that the expected demand slowdown is unlikely to be sharp enough to stop raising production when deciding on August production levels on July 6th,” the bank said in a note Monday.
Indeed, not only is geopolitics making oil bears nervous, but summer driving season is advancing, and the shock of Trump’s tariff-first approach to trade policies is subsiding.
Oil is currently quite affordable, which would stimulate demand, and its immediate supply outlook is uncertain, which often acts as fuel for prices.
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Iran Must Be Stopped
June 3, 2025
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The Devils Core
June 2, 2025
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Damning IAEA report spells out past secret nuclear activities in Iran
June 1, 2025
- AEA board requested ‘comprehensive’ report on Iran
- Describes past secret programme, current poor cooperation
- Western powers plan resolution against Iran at board
- Resolution would declare Iran in breach of obligations
- Iran’s stock of near-bomb-grade uranium jumps again
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Israel About To Attack Iran Nuke Facilities
May 31, 2025
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Israel Abet To Attack Iran’s Nuclear Sights
May 31, 2025
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Israel calls on world to ‘act now to stop Iran’
May 31, 2025
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the global community to take action to stop Iran from building its nuclear program after the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed Tehran is continuing to enrich uranium.
“The report strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years – the purpose of Iran’s nuclear program is not peaceful. This is evident from the alarming scope of Iran’s uranium enrichment activity. Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever,” Netanyahu’s office stated. “The international community must act now to stop Iran,” it added.
The IAEA report said that Iran increased its stockpile of 60%-enriched uranium by about 50% since early February to 408.6 kilograms, but Tehran has insisted it is not interested in acquiring a nuclear weapon.
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Iran said to vow ‘severe’ response if US destroys its nuclear sites
May 31, 2025
Iran warned that United States President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Tehran’s nuclear facilities is a “clear red line,” stressing that crossing it would have “severe consequences,” Fars News reported on Friday, citing an anonymous official.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always shown that it will not surrender to bullying. If the US is seeking a diplomatic solution, it must distance itself from the language of threats and sanctions and adhere to its international obligations,” the official allegedly said.
Trump has repeatedly warned that the US could launch airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear sites if the deal between the two countries isn’t reached.