
Trump, Zelenskyy discuss boosting Ukraine's air defences amid Russian attacks
The Ukrainian president emphasised the urgency of bolstering defences, citing intensified Russian airstrikes and battlefield activity. He also expressed readiness to pursue joint defence projects with US partners, particularly involving drone technologies.According to US media reports, the call lasted about 40 minutes. Trump reportedly expressed support for Ukraine's air defence needs and promised to look into whether any U.S. weapon shipments had been paused.The conversation came just one day after Trump had what he described as a 'very disappointing' phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Putin showed no signs of seeking an end to the war. Despite these concerns, the Trump administration has not yet approved new aid or sanctions targeting Russia.Washington recently paused some weapons deliveries to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles, prompting concern in Kyiv over the potential impact on its air defence. Germany has since entered discussions to purchase Patriot systems to help fill the gap.While direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine resumed earlier this year in Istanbul, progress has been limited, with only prisoner exchanges achieved so far.- EndsMust Watch

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Hans India
28 minutes ago
- Hans India
Trump Accuses China Of Breaking Trade Agreement After Attempting To 'Save' Beijing From Economic Crisis
President Donald Trump has publicly accused China of violating the terms of their recent trade agreement, expressing frustration over what he describes as Beijing's failure to honor commitments made during negotiations aimed at preventing economic turmoil in the world's second-largest economy. The accusation comes amid stalled trade talks and renewed tensions between the two economic superpowers. In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump detailed his version of events leading to the current trade dispute, claiming he had acted out of concern for China's economic stability when he agreed to reduce punitive tariffs. The President characterized his decision as an act of goodwill that China has now betrayed, leading to his declaration that his days of being "Mr. Nice Guy" are over. Trump's narrative describes a dramatic sequence of events where his initial imposition of unprecedented 145 percent tariffs on Chinese imports last month created severe economic distress in China. According to his account, these tariffs made it virtually impossible for Chinese goods to enter the American marketplace, which he emphasized is the world's largest consumer market. The President claimed that his tariff policy effectively created a "cold turkey" situation for China, resulting in widespread factory closures and what he described as civil unrest within the country. Trump stated that witnessing these conditions prompted him to negotiate a deal specifically to prevent what he anticipated would be a very bad situation for China, emphasizing that his motivation was concern for Chinese rather than American interests. The trade agreement Trump referenced resulted in significant tariff reductions from both countries. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the Trump administration agreed to reduce the 145 percent tariff to 30 percent, while China reciprocated by lowering its tariff rate on American goods from 125 percent to 10 percent. This mutual reduction was structured as an initial 90-day arrangement designed to defuse escalating trade tensions. The temporary truce emerged from intensive negotiations held in Geneva, Switzerland, marking the first high-level discussions between Washington and Beijing since Trump's aggressive tariff implementation. These talks were characterized as marathon sessions aimed at finding common ground between the two economic giants. However, the optimism surrounding the agreement appears to have been short-lived. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that trade negotiations have reached an impasse, requiring direct intervention from both President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to achieve meaningful progress. Speaking to Fox News, Bessent emphasized the complexity of the ongoing discussions and acknowledged that momentum had significantly slowed since the temporary agreement was reached. Bessent's assessment suggests that while the temporary deal succeeded in calming financial markets, it failed to address fundamental American concerns about China's state-controlled economic model. This disconnect between immediate market stability and long-term structural issues appears to have contributed to the current breakdown in negotiations. The Trump administration has responded to the stalled China talks by diversifying its trade diplomacy efforts, engaging with other major economic partners including Japan, India, and the European Union. This strategic pivot indicates recognition that resolving trade imbalances requires a multilateral approach rather than focusing exclusively on the China relationship. Legal challenges have further complicated the trade dispute landscape. A US trade court recently ruled that President Trump exceeded his constitutional authority by imposing most tariffs on Chinese and other imports under emergency powers legislation. However, a federal appeals court quickly reinstated the tariffs, temporarily suspending the lower court's decision pending review of the government's appeal. The judicial proceedings have established specific deadlines for legal responses, with plaintiffs required to submit their arguments by June 5 and the Trump administration by June 9. This legal timeline adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate trade relationship. Trump's accusation of Chinese violations reflects broader frustrations with what the administration views as Beijing's pattern of failing to honor international commitments. The President's characterization of his previous leniency as being "Mr. Nice Guy" suggests a potential return to more aggressive trade policies if the current diplomatic approach fails to achieve desired outcomes. The situation illustrates the ongoing challenges in managing the economic relationship between the world's two largest economies, where domestic political considerations, economic imperatives, and international diplomacy intersect in complex ways that resist simple solutions.


Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk calls out Epstein case delay; asks ‘What's the time', then answers: ‘It's no-one-has-been…'
Reigniting the debate around the infamous Epstein list, Elon Musk has shared a series of posts on microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter). In one such post, Musk asked 'What's the time?', adding 'Oh look, it's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again'. He also shared an image set to 0000 reading 'The Official Jeffrey Epstein Pedophile Arrest Counter.' In another post, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO shared a satirical timeline that mocked changing stories about the long-promised Epstein list. The timeline shifts from 'We will release the Epstein list' to 'We just need more time' to 'The Epstein list is on my desk' and finally ending with the line: 'There is no Epstein list.' He placed angry emoji in the caption. The tech billionaire shared another post with a bull-eye emoji. Image in the post reads: 'The people saying Elon should work to make the Republican party better are the same ones who have been calling to primary the few Republicans who want a smaller government'. Donald Trump hits back at Elon Musk after creating America Party Notably, Musk's posts come hours after Trump criticised Tesla CEO Elon Musk for creating a new political party — American Party. Trump shared a long post on Truth Social expressing his disappointment over Elon Musk's recent actions. Trump stated that he is 'saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks." In the post, Trump opposed the idea of forming a new political party. '"He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States – The System seems not designed for them," Trump wrote. He also emphasised that creation of a third party will lead to complete chaos and disruption. Trump also revealed the reason behind Elon Musk's action. The US President liked Musk's dissatisfaction to the recently passed "One Big Beautiful Bill," which Trump signed into law on July 4. According to Trump, this bill "eliminates the ridiculous Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate," a policy he has long opposed and campaigned against. Trump expressed surprise, claiming that when Musk offered his "total and unquestioned Endorsement," he had no issues with the termination of the EV mandate, despite it being a central part of Trump's platform. OPPO Find X8 Ultra Review: Camera Powerhouse with Next-Gen Imaging! AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now


Economic Times
39 minutes ago
- Economic Times
US stock market futures today: Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures drop as Tesla plunges 7% and Trump tariff warning shakes Wall Street
Synopsis Dow futures fall as President Donald Trump's tariff deadline approaches, raising fresh concerns on Wall Street. With the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ending July 9, Trump officials warn duties could return to their harsh 'Liberation Day' levels by August 1 unless new trade deals are signed. The market reaction was swift—Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 futures slipped, while oil, gold, and Treasury yields also dipped. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick signaled the White House will push forward with tariffs up to 70% if talks stall. Investors now watch for Fed minutes and global trade responses. Dow futures fall as Trump's tariff pause nears its end, with reciprocal tariffs possibly returning by August 1. Market reactions include falling stock futures, oil prices, and Treasury yields as trade uncertainty grows ahead of key Fed minutes this week. Dow futures fall as Trump's tariff deadline nears, raising fears of economic backlash- U.S. stock futures dropped Sunday evening as investors braced for the possible return of steep tariffs, with President Donald Trump's 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs set to expire this Wednesday, July 9. Markets had hoped for an extension, but administration officials signaled that unless trade agreements are reached soon, tariffs will snap back to 'Liberation Day' levels by August 1. This has sent a fresh wave of concern through Wall Street, with investors recalling the sharp April 2 stock drop triggered by those same tariff levels. Now, with time running out, uncertainty over trade policy is rattling equities, commodities, and currencies all at once. S&P 500 futures : -0.32% at 5,611.50 : at Dow Jones Industrial Average futures : -0.28% at 39,205.00 : at Nasdaq-100 futures: -0.47% at 20,215.75 All three major benchmarks are set to open in the red, signaling a cautious start to the trading week. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 120 points, or 0.27%, in early evening trading Sunday, reflecting investor concerns about the economic impact of renewed tariffs. S&P 500 futures dropped 0.41%, while Nasdaq futures declined 0.50%, suggesting a cautious start to the trading week. These losses follow Trump's Thursday announcement that letters setting tariffs as high as 70% would begin going out—sending a warning to nations not yet in agreement with the U.S. on trade terms. Also Read: Investors flee Tesla after Elon Musk reveals America Party— stock nosedives 7% Tesla (TSLA) : -6.96% , as political news overshadows EV and AI progress. : , as political news overshadows EV and AI progress. Nvidia (NVDA) : -1.2% in premarket, pressured by tech sentiment and China exposure. : in premarket, pressured by tech sentiment and China exposure. Apple (AAPL) : -0.5% , with tariff worries hitting electronics exporters. : , with tariff worries hitting electronics exporters. Boeing (BA) : -0.6% , facing potential European tariff risks. : , facing potential European tariff risks. Amazon (AMZN): -0.3%, showing relative resilience amid broader tech softness. Trump administration insiders made it clear: if countries don't finalize trade deals, duties will 'boomerang back' to previous highs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said rates will return to April 2 levels, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that Trump is actively setting rates and shaping deals now, ahead of the August 1 enforcement date. Dow Jones futures : Down approximately 0.27% (about 120 points) : Down approximately (about 120 points) S&P 500 futures : Down around 0.41% : Down around Nasdaq futures: Dropping by 0.50% SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) : 625.34 USD, up 0.008% : 625.34 USD, up 0.008% Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) : 556.22 USD, up 0.010% : 556.22 USD, up 0.010% SPDR Dow Jones ETF (DIA): 448.09 USD, up 0.008% 10-Year U.S. Treasury Yield : 4.33%, down 1 basis point : 4.33%, down 1 basis point Gold : $3,325.20 per ounce , down 0.53% : , down U.S. Crude Oil (WTI) : $65.85 per barrel , down 1.72% : , down Brent Crude : $67.65 per barrel , down 0.95% : , down USD vs Euro : Dollar down 0.05% : Dollar down USD vs Yen: Dollar down 0.03% If trading partners fail to secure new deals with the U.S. by the end of July, tariffs will revert to the tough levels imposed on 'Liberation Day'—Trump's term for the original deadline that kicked off tariff escalation. According to Bessent, this would replicate the conditions that caused the stock market's sharp crash in early April, before Trump implemented the current 90-day reprieve to give time for negotiation. The administration's current stance implies that the window for diplomacy is rapidly closing. While many analysts hoped for a full extension beyond July 9, Sunday's remarks suggest only a few extra weeks at best. This policy uncertainty is weighing on global market sentiment. President Trump signaled new tariffs on Chinese electronics and European autos may take effect by August 1, intensifying global trade war fears. The uncertainty is weighing heavily on manufacturing, industrials, and tech. Shares of Tesla Inc. (TSLA) are down nearly 7% in premarket trading to $305.25, after Elon Musk announced the creation of the 'America Party'—a third political group. The news triggered investor concerns about Musk's focus and its effect on Tesla's growth prospects. WTI crude : Down 1.3% to $73.41 per barrel on easing OPEC+ supply cuts. : Down to on easing OPEC+ supply cuts. 10-year U.S. Treasury yield: Up 3 basis points to 4.36%, indicating caution amid inflation uncertainty. The tariff news didn't just hit stocks—bond yields, gold, oil, and currency markets also moved. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dipped by 1 basis point to 4.33%, signaling a modest shift toward safer assets. Gold prices fell 0.53% to $3,325.20 per ounce, reflecting slight liquidation by traders, possibly due to profit-taking or broader market jitters. The U.S. dollar edged lower, down 0.05% against the euro and 0.03% against the Japanese yen. In the oil markets, U.S. crude prices fell 1.72% to $65.85 per barrel, while Brent crude lost 0.95%, settling at $67.65. This drop followed OPEC+'s announcement of a larger-than-expected increase in output for August, adding supply pressure to already fragile energy markets. While economic data this week is light, all eyes will be on the Federal Reserve's meeting minutes, which are set to be released on Wednesday. With markets already jittery due to tariff risks, any insight into the Fed's stance on interest rates or inflation could swing investor sentiment sharply. Traders are likely to look for signals about whether the Fed is preparing for more aggressive tightening, especially if tariffs reignite inflation concerns. Index/Asset Value Change Dow Futures ↓ 120 pts -0.27% S&P 500 Futures — -0.41% Nasdaq Futures — -0.50% 10-Yr Treasury 4.33% -1 bps Gold $3,325.20 -0.53% Crude Oil (WTI) $65.85 -1.72% Brent Oil $67.65 -0.95% President Trump's next moves will be critical. As he continues sending letters to countries warning of tariffs up to 70%, trade partners will face mounting pressure to finalize agreements before August 1. The risk of a trade standoff looms large, particularly with little time left before the current reprieve ends. Fed minutes (Wednesday) : Key insight into future rate policy amid softening inflation. : Key insight into future rate policy amid softening inflation. CPI inflation data (Thursday) : June figures expected to show year-over-year cooling below 3.1% . : June figures expected to show year-over-year cooling below . Earnings season kickoff: JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Delta Airlines report later this week. For now, investors are treading carefully, watching both policy signals from Washington and global reactions. The countdown has begun, and without a breakthrough soon, markets could face another wave of volatility, just like they did in early April. Q1: Why are Dow futures falling ahead of Trump's tariff deadline? Dow futures are dropping as Trump's 90-day tariff pause ends and higher duties may return by August 1. Q2: What happens if trade deals aren't made before Trump's tariff deadline? If no trade deals are signed, tariffs may 'boomerang back' to previous levels, hitting markets hard again.