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Editorial Cartoons - Truthdig

 

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Musk and son - by RJ Matson - The Contrarian

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Michael Ramirez for Feb 14, 2025, by Michael Ramirez | Creators Syndicate

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Home | Cartoon Movement

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Breaking News: Jaw-Dropping Political Cartoon – Trump Satire & USA Humor...

Bloomberg Snippets in A Nutshell

War in Ukraine

Europe's $3 Trillion Burden 

Bloomberg

a day ago

Bloomberg

22 hours ago

Trump's New Plan to End the Russia-Ukraine War Might Break Europe

 RELATED UPLOAD > 06 January 2025 

Zelensky Asks Trump to Unlock $300 Billion Russian Assets for US Weapons | How Will Trump Respond?

YouTube

Oneindia News · 3:22

Zelensky Asks Trump to Unlock $300 Billion Russian Assets for US Weapons | How Will Trump Respond?

 

RELATED > 08 January 2025

". . .The confiscation and deployment of the $300 billion in frozen Russian assets is likely to become a tempting option both for Europe and the United States. . ."

Russian Assets Are Europe’s Trump Card
With the incoming administration seeking to cut U.S. aid to Ukraine, Europe should tap the Kremlin’s frozen reserves.
By Adrian Karatnycky, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and the founder of Myrmidon Group.

YouTube

DW News · 15:33

US mulls seizing $300 billion in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine | DW News

Uploaded: Jan 20, 2024 

www.pravda.com.ua

Frozen Russian assets can work for Ukraine right now. How can it be done? | Ukrainska Pravda

Toronto Star

Nearly two years after invasion, West still seeking a way to steer frozen Russian assets to

 

Trump-Putin Talks 

Why Russia Invaded Ukraine

Olga Ivashchenko/Bloomberg

Exclusive 

Trump Tells Europe to Buy American Arms to Keep NATO Strong 

Dysfunctional European Defense Sector Hits Industrial Roadblocks as Russia Threat Looms 

Putin Scored a Win With Trump. Now He May Want More on Ukraine

Bloomberg Opinion

• America First? For Europe, It's America as Usual

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No comment

 

Businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson announces another run for Arizona Governor. . .

  

Yes, KTR is a "Businesswoman" in this campaign video - but, like they say - there's always more to any story, so let's provide some context from uploaded earlier archival posts: 

 

(gathering research to expand a draft on this campaign video...)

Trump administration set to purchase $400 million worth of armored Teslas

Trump administration set to purchase $400 million worth of armored Teslas

February 13, 202512:00 AM ET

Bobby Allyn

A Tesla Cybertruck moves along the beach in Boca Chica, Texas, on Nov. 18, 2024.

Eric Gay/AP

The Trump administration is expected to purchase $400 million worth of armored Tesla vehicles, according to a new State Department document detailing procurement for fiscal year 2025.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk is a top White House official who has been leading the Department of Government Efficiency, a unit focused on shrinking the federal workforce and ferreting out corruption.

The document does not specify what Tesla vehicles will be purchased by U.S. officials, but Musk's Cybertruck, with its militaristic design and stainless steel exterior, could be an option.

After reports circulated Wednesday night of the State Department's intent to purchase Tesla vehicles, the document was edited, at 9:12 p.m., and now says the federal contract is for $400 million worth of "armored electric vehicles," but the word "Tesla" was removed. . .

The State Department document also shows that some Tesla competitors are set to receive lucrative, yet considerably smaller, contracts for armored vehicles, including from BMW, which is expected to supply about $40 million worth of SUVs to the federal government.

Reddit 

State Department planning to award Tesla contract for $400M of EVs
13 hours ago

State Department planning to award Tesla contract for $400M of EVs : r/teslainvestorsclub

Rolling Stone

12 hours ago

Trump's State Department Could Spend $400 Million on 'Armored' Teslas

Electrek

US State Department has budget line for 'Armored Teslas' worth $400 million | Electrek

 

What are tariffs and how do they work?

Tariffs are taxes on goods traded between nations. They’re a way for countries to control international trade by artificially raising the cost of importing goods. Some tariffs can incentivize would-be importers to purchase from domestic sellers instead, potentially strengthening the local economy. The US adjusts tariffs based on trade agreements, political goals, and economic needs.

The US collected $77 billion in tariffs in 2024, making up 1.6% of federal revenue. Tariffs haven’t comprised more than 2.0% of total annual revenue since the 1960s.  Congress holds constitutional authority over tariffs but has delegated much of it to the president through legislation. Customs and Border Protection enforces tariff collections based on the type of goods, quantity, and country they come from.  As of October 2024, the average tariff rate for bringing goods into the US is 3.4%. However, it varies based on the product, cost, quantity, and relationship with the exporting country.  The US follows World Trade Organization rules that standardize tariffs across member nations, but 14 free trade agreements and special exceptions allow for lower rates with specific partners.  When the US raises tariffs, US companies importing international goods pay those tariffs. This can indirectly raise prices for American consumers.

Learn more

How much foreign aid does the US provide?

Why does the United States provide foreign aid? In short, to support economic development, global security, and humanitarian efforts. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department oversee the more than 20 agencies that fund these efforts. Foreign aid priorities shift over time, reflecting changes in America’s strategic interests. Here are the facts on USAID, how much foreign aid the US provides, and who gets it.   USAID is an independent agency that administers foreign aid and economic development assistance outside the US. In fiscal year 2024, the agency spent $21.7 billion, which was 0.3% of federal spending.    The US promised about $68.2 billion in foreign aid in FY 2022. Eighty-eight percent of aid was economic, while 12% was military aid, supporting internal security, self-defense, and UN-related peacekeeping.

When combining foreign aid from fiscal years 2001 to 2023, Afghanistan received the most from the US ($145.9 billion), followed by Israel ($91.2 billion) and Iraq ($89.4 billion).   Of the 196 countries recognized by the State Department, 173 received aid from the US in FY 2023. The median aid package was $43.7 million, but amounts ranged from $1,800 (yes, you read that right) to the $16.6 billion sent to Ukraine. Israel ($3.3 billion) and Ethiopia ($1.8 billion) rounded out the top three, collectively accounting for 30% of US aid that year.  Foreign aid data collection lags and numbers can take up to two years to be fully reported. Aid figures can change after they’re reported due to revisions for a more accurate record.

Follow the money

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Data behind the news

According to the Agriculture Department, a second strain of bird flu has now infected cows. See the data on bird flu, including how it affects livestock and the price of eggs.     Did you read last week’s newsletter? Then you should be able to breeze through the weekly fact quiz.

One last fact

Between 2000 and 2021, the nation’s cancer incidence rate per 100,000 people fell by 5.7%, while the mortality rate dropped by 27.5%. In 2021, age-adjusted figures show 458.3 new cancer cases and 144.2 deaths per 100,000 people.