ACTUAL NEWS Briefing: May 23rd 2025

Olga Nesterova
7 hours ago
13 min read

QUICK HITS

More Tariffs?

President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 50% tariff on all goods imported from the European Union, effective June 1. He justified this move by citing the EU's trade practices, including value-added taxes and non-tariff barriers, which he claims disadvantage American companies. Trump also criticized the EU for "being difficult to negotiate with" and accused it of "forming to take advantage of the U.S. in trade matters".

In addition to the EU tariffs, Trump threatened a 25% tariff on Apple iPhones manufactured outside the United States, urging the company to shift production domestically.

The announcement led to significant market reactions, with major European stock indices such as the Stoxx 600, CAC 40, and DAX experiencing notable declines. U.S. markets also saw downturns, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping over 300 points.

European leaders expressed concern over the proposed tariffs. German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche emphasized the need for negotiated solutions, stating that trade conflicts have no winners. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof indicated that the EU would continue negotiations but would not yield to pressure.

Analysts suggest that while the 50% tariff may be a negotiating tactic, even a partial implementation could have significant economic implications, potentially leading to retaliatory measures from the EU and affecting global markets.

The situation remains fluid, with trade talks between the U.S. and EU ongoing. Observers are closely monitoring developments to assess the potential impact on international trade relations and economic stability.

Israeli Diplomatic Staff Killed in D.C.

U.S. authorities apprehended a man after two Israeli embassy staffers were fatally shot in downtown Washington, D.C. The shooting took place outside the Capital Jewish Museum during a reception for young diplomats. The suspect reportedly shouted “free, free Palestine” while being taken into custody, according to the Metropolitan Police chief. President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and several other world leaders condemned the killings as an act of antisemitism. This incident is rare in recent U.S. history, with the only comparable event being the 1976 bombing that killed a former Chilean diplomat.

White House: Hatred has no place in the United States of America under President Donald Trump

And yet, one could argue that the hatred toward migrants and the disregard for due process, nurtured by the White House, has the potential to grow into something far more harmful than we dare predict.

Trump’s Missile Shield Plan Needs Canada — But Ottawa Isn’t Fully On Board

President Donald Trump’s ambitious $500 billion "Golden Dome" missile and air defense shield over North America hinges on a key partner: Canada — and it’s not clear Ottawa is fully committed.

To detect and intercept missiles over the Arctic, Canada's vast airspace and northern territory are critical. Trump has downplayed Canada’s role, but military experts and U.S. officials say without Canadian radars and cooperation, the project’s effectiveness is compromised.

Former NORAD commander Glen VanHerck stressed that positioning radar deep into the Arctic would dramatically enhance U.S. and Canadian defense capabilities.

Despite Trump claiming Canada is eager to help, Canadian leaders are cautious, with Prime Minister Mark Carney warning the U.S. not to take Canadian support for granted. Tensions remain after Trump’s past rhetoric on tariffs and military burden-sharing, and Ottawa is seeking broader security partnerships as leverage.

Canada currently funds about 40% of NORAD’s investments and has committed $38 billion to upgrade northern radar infrastructure. However, the Canadian government has not yet decided whether it will participate in missile interception — a politically sensitive issue — and won’t finalize its defense budget until the fall.

As Trump pushes for $25 billion in initial U.S. funding through Congress, Canada’s involvement remains uncertain, making the success of Golden Dome as much a diplomatic challenge as a technical one.

Opinion: Can Canada Trust Washington on Missile Defense?

There’s one practical question Prime Minister Mark Carney must consider before committing to the Golden Dome missile defense project:

Can Canada trust a U.S. administration that once turned off Starlink for Ukraine — and now demands unquestioned cooperation?

President Donald Trump’s erratic handling of international security, his administration’s decision to freeze aid to Ukraine, and Elon Musk’s casual control of critical battlefield technology should all raise alarms. So should Trump’s dismissive tone toward Canada — calling former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a "governor" and repeatedly suggesting that Canada would be better off as the 51st state.

While participating in missile interception may make strategic sense on paper, logic only works when both partners are logical. If one treats allies as afterthoughts and shrugs off accountability, then trust — not just technology — becomes the real defense gap.

Before investing Canadian territory, radars, and political capital into a U.S.-led system, Ottawa must ask: Is this a partnership, or a liability in disguise?

Hell in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

Powerful explosions rocked residential buildings in Stepnogorsk, as Russian forces reduced half a block of high-rise buildings to rubble in mere seconds. (via Jurgen Nauditt)

In response to the Vatican's proposal to host peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov offered yet another excuse, claiming that "the Vatican is an unrealistic venue for talks."

He added that it would be “inelegant for Orthodox countries to discuss the root causes of the conflict, including moves to eliminate the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on a Catholic platform.”

Regarding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: The branch affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate has long been accused of collaborating with Russia—including storing weapons, hiding operatives, and aiding in the transport of spies. As a result, it has been targeted by the Ukrainian government. Meanwhile, the Kyiv Patriarchate remains active and is welcome in Ukraine.

In contrast, Russia has banned the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, further underscoring the ideological and religious control it seeks to assert.

U.S.–Iran Nuclear Talks Conclude in Rome With Limited Progress

The fifth round of U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations concluded in Rome on Friday, showing limited but tangible progress, according to diplomatic sources. Mediated by Oman, the talks sought to address longstanding disputes over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the future of uranium enrichment.

The U.S. was represented by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and State Department Policy Planning Director Michael Anton; Iran’s delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Tensions were heightened ahead of the meeting after Witkoff stated that Iran must not retain "even 1 percent" of enrichment capability—a shift from previous U.S. openness to low-level enrichment. Araghchi responded bluntly: “Zero nuclear weapons equals a deal; zero enrichment equals no deal.” The stricter U.S. position followed pressure from over 200 Republican lawmakers, who signed a May 14 letter urging a zero-enrichment demand.

A State Department spokesperson acknowledged before the talks that, “This meeting wouldn’t be happening if we didn’t believe there was potential.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that President Trump remains open to reaching a deal with Iran — if one can be reached.

Rising Regional Tensions & Israeli Pushback

The Rome talks took place against a backdrop of increasingly fraught regional dynamics. Reports indicate that Israel is weighing a military strike against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. President Trump discussed the issue this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming U.S. interest in a diplomatic resolution but not ruling out military action if talks collapse.

Iran responded forcefully. In a letter to the United Nations, Araghchi warned that any Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites would be met with retaliation, and that Tehran would hold the United States responsible for enabling such an attack.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu lashed out at Western leaders—including French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—for their joint call for Israel to withdraw from Gaza and allow humanitarian aid access. In a public statement accompanied by video, Netanyahu accused them of being “on the wrong side of history” and defended Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza.

Although no breakthrough was reached in Rome, both sides left the door open for further diplomacy. However, the path forward remains delicate, as pressure mounts from allies and adversaries alike—and the risk of escalation continues to rise.

TODAY IN HISTORY

1430: Joan of Arc was captured by Burgundian forces at the Siege of Compiègne during the Hundred Years' War

1533: The marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon was declared null and void, a pivotal moment leading to the English Reformation.

1915: Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary, joining the Allies in World War I.

1934: Notorious American outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were ambushed and killed by police in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

1945: Heinrich Himmler, a leading member of Nazi Germany, committed suicide while in British custody.

1951: Delegates of the Dalai Lama signed the Seventeen Point Agreement, leading to the annexation of Tibet by China.

1992: Italian anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone was assassinated by the Sicilian Mafia near Capaci, Sicily.

2021: A cable car accident near Lake Maggiore in northern Italy resulted in the deaths of 14 people.

QUICK ACTUAL NEWS

NATIONAL

White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks called restrictions on exporting extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment to China the “single most important export control” in semiconductor policy.
President Donald Trump has signed executive orders to ease regulations on new nuclear reactors and strengthen domestic fuel supply chains, aiming to revitalize the U.S. nuclear sector.
A Supreme Court ruling Thursday in a federal labor case included language that quells concerns—for now—about Trump having the authority to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
The U.S. Copyright Office director, recently dismissed by the Trump administration, has filed a lawsuit, claiming the firing was unconstitutional.
Sources say Elon Musk’s DOGE team is expanding the use of AI chatbot Grok within U.S. federal agencies, raising potential conflict-of-interest and data privacy concerns.
President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Thursday by a narrow margin of 215 to 214, marking a political victory for the president after months of Republican infighting over spending cuts and tax policies.
A commission led by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a report on Thursday, suggesting that processed foods, chemicals, stress, and the overprescription of medications and vaccines may contribute to chronic illness among American children.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the departure of 16 senior executives, a major shakeup in its leadership ranks just two weeks before the start of what is expected to be a busy hurricane season.
Following a bipartisan push to eliminate the lowest denomination of U.S. currency over cost concerns, the federal government has begun winding down production of the penny coin, according to a plan outlined by the Treasury Department on Thursday.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has terminated 17 projects under a foreign aid program that funds school meals for children in low-income countries, as revealed in an email sent from the USDA to congressional staff.
A powerful U.S. national security panel submitted a recommendation to President Trump on Wednesday regarding Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel, although the details of the recommendation remain undisclosed.
NEW: A national security panel is reportedly split on Japan’s Nippon Steel acquisition of U.S. Steel. However, most members believe potential risks can be mitigated, a White House official said.
According to excerpts from an internal cable, the State Department’s office that handles refugee issues and addresses illegal migration will take the lead in the U.S. response to overseas disasters. Experts, however, argue that the office lacks the expertise and personnel for such a role.
On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 4-0 to finalize rules that prevent
Chinese labs, deemed national security risks, from testing electronic devices like smartphones, cameras, and computers for use in the U.S.
U.S. business activity saw a pickup in May amid a trade truce between Washington and Beijing. However, President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on imported goods have led to higher prices for both companies and consumers.
The Trump administration has escalated tensions with Harvard by revoking its ability to enroll international students. This move followed ongoing disputes over policies and protests. Harvard has filed a lawsuit, arguing the actions violate academic freedom and free speech. On Friday, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to bar international students from attending Harvard University, delivering the ruling less than 24 hours after the policy was announced. The decision comes amid widespread backlash from academic institutions and advocates, who argued the move was discriminatory and harmful to U.S. education.

In response to President Trump’s cuts to science research funding and attacks on universities, the European Union is investing over $500 million to recruit researchers and scientists from the United States.

DEFENSE

According to U.S. defense officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration is weighing the removal of 4,500 American troops from South Korea, with plans to potentially relocate them to other Indo-Pacific locations, including Guam. The move, still under discussion, could heighten concerns among U.S. allies about Washington’s long-term commitment to regional security—especially at a time of growing tension in the Asia-Pacific.
The Air Force may seek to acquire more than the planned fleet of 100 B-21 bombers, especially if the upcoming B-52J upgrade proves more challenging than expected. This was shared by Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
For the past 50 years, aerospace engineers have dreamed of creating spacecraft capable of surviving reentry by "sweating" a thermally protective gas layer. Now, an Air Force Research Laboratory grant is focused on turning this idea into reality.
On May 21, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted a Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar that President Donald Trump plans to use as Air Force One, according to the Pentagon.
The Air Force successfully tested an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on May 21. The missile, equipped with a single reentry vehicle, traveled over 4,200 miles, striking a test site near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
A key challenge for the Navy’s planned fiscal 2034 delivery of the nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile Nuclear (SLCM-N) is integrating it onto Virginia-class submarines, which were not originally designed to carry nuclear weapons, according to one of the Navy’s top officers overseeing nuclear weapons programs.
The newly confirmed Secretary of the Air Force will address graduates at the Air Force Academy’s ceremony on May 29. The academy typically follows a four-year rotation for commencement speakers, including the president, vice president, secretary of defense, and secretary of the Air Force. Last year, Vice President Kamala Harris was the commencement speaker.
On May 21, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led a Christian prayer service in the Pentagon’s auditorium during working hours, where President Trump was praised as a divinely appointed leader. The event, dubbed the “Secretary of Defense Christian Prayer & Worship Service,” was standing room only and lasted about 30 minutes, with Pastor Brooks Potteiger, from Hegseth’s church in Tennessee, as the main speaker.
The Army’s newest air defense platform recently completed its first live-fire exercise in the Arctic alongside NATO allies. Meanwhile, another air defense unit deployed the Avenger Air Defense System in Africa for the first time.
As lawmakers continue debating the creation of a cyber-focused military branch, the Pentagon’s analysis suggests that U.S. Cyber Command should instead adopt a model similar to that of Special Operations Command.
Veterans advocacy groups have raised concerns that payment delays to vendors and staff cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs are causing significant delays and barriers for individuals with disabilities trying to modify their homes and vehicles with specialized equipment.
A routine training flight over Arizona in January 2023 took an unexpected turn when a U.S. Air Force F-16D was struck by what was initially reported as an unidentified object. U.S. defense officials now say it was a small drone.

GLOBAL

Trump Shows Misleading Video at White House

President Trump faced criticism after playing a video of white crosses, misidentified as mass graves of South African farmers. The footage was later traced to a cemetery in Congo, not South Africa.

Japan's Top Trade Negotiator to Visit D.C.

Ryosei Akazawa is set to visit Washington from Friday to Sunday for discussions on U.S. tariffs, he confirmed on Thursday. Akazawa noted that the details of the upcoming talks, including the U.S. representatives attending, have yet to be finalized.

Greenland Signs Lucrative Minerals Deal with Europe.

Greenland has granted a 30-year mining permit to a Danish-French consortium, Greenland Anorthosite Mining (GAM), to extract anorthosite, a rock essential for aluminum production. This follows past interest from U.S. President Donald Trump in acquiring the island, which is part of Denmark. The consortium, backed by the French Jean Boulle Group and Danish-Greenlandic real estate investment firms, now holds the exclusive rights to mine this resource. Experts, like Jesper Willaing Zeuthen from Aalborg University, suggest that Trump's interest in Greenland's resources might be driven by a desire for long-term investments, though current Greenlandic laws present challenges for such ventures.

European Support for RFE/RL

The European Union has agreed to contribute approximately $6 million in short-term emergency funding to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), as announced by the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. This follows the Trump administration’s decision to cut funding for the U.S.-based media organization, which has its journalistic headquarters in the Czech Republic. Kallas emphasized that while the EU could not fully fund RFE/RL’s global operations, it aimed to support the organization’s work “in our neighborhood.”

Former DRC Leader Sentenced

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Constitutional Court sentenced former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon to ten years of forced labor for embezzlement. Matata, who governed the country from 2012 to 2016, was convicted for misusing funds from an agricultural development project. He currently leads the Leadership and Governance for Development party. His lawyer denied any wrongdoing, claiming the charges were politically motivated.

Russian Spies Uncovered in Brazil

Since 2022, Brazilian authorities, in cooperation with Western intelligence agencies, have identified at least nine deep-cover Russian spies operating under fake identities in the country, according to the New York Times. Two of the spies were arrested, while others fled as investigations advanced. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has spurred greater international cooperation to combat Russian espionage.

India Targets Insurgents

India’s military killed the top leader of the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency group and 26 other members during a military operation, as reported by the country's home affairs minister. The Naxalite-Maoist insurgency has been active since 1967. The government also announced the deaths of 31 insurgents in a separate operation last week.

ICYMI

Global primary tropical forest destruction reached an unprecedented 25,869 square miles last year, according to the World Resources Institute. Around half of this loss was due to fires, a significant increase compared to previous years. Dry conditions have exacerbated fires, which are often set by farmers clearing land for agriculture. The most significant losses occurred in Bolivia, Brazil, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

COMING UP

🇮🇳 India–Germany Foreign Minister Visit

Today, India’s Foreign Minister is visiting Germany to deepen bilateral cooperation on trade, defense, and technology, and to reaffirm strategic ties within the evolving global order.

🇫🇷 Macron’s Southeast Asia Trip Begins Sunday

French President Emmanuel Macron begins a regional tour of Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore this Sunday, focused on economic and security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

🇸🇷🇻🇪 Elections in Suriname and Venezuela (Sunday)

Suriname holds its general election, while Venezuela hosts legislative and regional elections—both watched closely amid concerns about governance and democratic standards.

🇲🇾 ASEAN Leaders Summit in Malaysia (Monday)

The ASEAN summit kicks off Monday in Malaysia, where leaders will discuss regional trade, security cooperation, and responses to geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

🇨🇮 African Development Bank Annual Meetings (Monday)

The AfDB begins its annual meetings in Ivory Coast on Monday, focusing on economic resilience, infrastructure development, and the green energy transition across Africa.

🇭🇺 Stripping Hungary's EU Voting Rights on May 27 Agenda

The Council of the European Union will hold a hearing on May 27 regarding potential suspension of Hungary’s voting rights, citing ongoing violations of EU democratic standards.

🇵🇾 Paraguay–Japan Diplomatic Visit Concludes

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña has completed a state visit to Japan, resulting in new cooperation agreements in climate policy, investment, communications, and space technology.

🇲🇾 Malaysia Ruling Party Elections Conclude Today

The internal elections of Malaysia’s ruling party are wrapping up, with results expected to significantly influence national policy and upcoming electoral strategy.

🇺🇸 NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Dayton, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio is hosting the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords. Delegates from NATO’s 32 member states will discuss collective defense, emerging threats, and the importance of diplomacy.

🇷🇴 Political Turmoil in Romania

Despite winning Romania’s presidential election, Nicușor Dan faces stiff resistance in forming a government, with rifts growing within the pro-EU coalition, especially the Social Democrats (PSD).

🇵🇱 Poland Presidential Election

Poland’s presidential election is underway. The outcome will shape Poland’s domestic trajectory and its future relationship with the European Union.

That's all from me for now. Thank you for reading. The next Weekly Recap (Canada Edition) will arrive tomorrow.

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