US Politics
President Donald Trump’s administration faces opposition from some MAGA leaders regarding the IGO Anti-Boycott Act (H.R. 867). Critics, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Anna Paulina Luna, have expressed concerns that the bill could infringe on free speech by potentially criminalizing boycotts against Israel, leading to its withdrawal from the voting schedule. Some industry insiders have expressed confusion and concern about the tariff’s impact on their business, with no prior warning or details on how it would function.
Environment
A study published by Science China Earth Sciences has reported that Antarctica’s ice sheet experienced a significant mass gain from 2021 to 2023. Researchers from Tongji University noted this increase, which contrasts with previous trends of ice loss. This development could have implications for global sea levels and climate change discussions. However, some experts caution that this short-term gain does not necessarily indicate a long-term trend reversal, as the overall trend of ice loss in Antarctica remains consistent when viewed over longer periods.
European Politics
In Romania, the presidential election has seen conservative candidate George Simion leading the first round. The election was rerun after the initial result was annulled due to alleged irregularities involving conservative candidate Calin Georgescu, who was barred from running again. Simion, known for his opposition to EU and NATO, leads the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). The election has also drawn international attention with the detention of RT journalist Chay Bowes, who was covering the event, highlighting concerns over media freedom and state security. Simion’s nationalist rhetoric and his party’s alleged ties to extremist groups have raised concerns among some observers about the potential risks of his policies.
Economy
Amidst the U.S.-China trade war, Canada has reportedly become a conduit for Chinese goods aiming to bypass U.S. tariffs. This influx has raised concerns about deflation in Canada due to the flood of discounted Chinese products. Canada has aligned with U.S. policies by imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. In retaliation, China has set 100% tariffs on Canadian agricultural products like canola oil. However, China has increased its imports of Canadian crude oil, which suits its refining capabilities. Some experts suggest that while this diversion might provide short-term relief for Chinese exporters, it could strain Canada-China relations further, potentially leading to more retaliatory measures from Canada.
Meanwhile, Trump has announced via Truth Social a 100% tariff on foreign films, purportedly to boost domestic production in Hollywood. The specifics of how this tariff would be implemented remain unclear. This move might be in response to China’s recent restrictions on Hollywood imports. Trump has appointed actors Mel Gibson, Jon Voight, and Sylvester Stallone as special ambassadors to Hollywood to encourage local production.
Goldman Sachs has forecasted a significant rise in gold prices, predicting they could reach $4,000 per troy ounce by mid-2026. This forecast is based on expectations of economic conditions, including potential recessions, which could increase demand for gold as a safe-haven investment. However, some market analysts caution that while gold prices are rising, the market might be overbought, and a correction could be imminent.
Sources
Antarctica’s Ice Sheet Gains Mass for First Time in Decades, Study Finds
Antarctica reverses trend and gains ice for the first time in decades, according to a new study published by Science China Earth Sciences.
Trump’s Tariff Twist: 100% Tax on Foreign Films Targets Hollywood and Streaming Giants
On Sunday evening, President Donald Trump announced that he plans to impose a 100% tariff on films produced overseas, extending his restrictive trade policies on US imports to the entertainment sector for the first time.
Chinese Imports Flood Canada Amid U.S. Trade War, Sparking Deflation Fears
“New tariffs from China on Canadian canola oil and meal will have a devastating impact on canola farmers and the broader value chain at a time of increased trade and geopolitical uncertainty,” said Chris Davison, President of the Canola Council of Canada.
Romania’s Presidential Election: Populist George Simion Leads, Amidst Controversy and Detentions
“Far right” populist candidate George Simion is winning the first round of the Romanian presidential election.
Goldman Sachs Predicts Gold Prices to Soar to $4,000 by Mid-2026
WE REITERATE OUR STRUCTURAL BULLISH GOLD VIEW WITH A BASE CASE OF $3,700/TOZ BY YEAR-END AND OF $4,000 BY MID-2026
MAGA Leaders Champion Free Speech, Oppose Anti-Boycott Bill Targeting Israel
“I will be voting NO. It is my job to defend American’s rights to buy or boycott whomever they choose without the government harshly fining them or imprisoning them.”
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Balkan Insight, Bloomberg, Climate Feedback, Financial Times, GlobalTradeWatch, Reuters, Romania Insider, The Australian, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, TradeTalks, and ZeroHedge.
by binkey 
