Trump’s threats against Powell. Trump told Fox Business in an interview that aired yesterday that he plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he does not leave his post “on time.” Powell’s term expires May 15, but he has said he plans to stay on until his successor is confirmed and remain part of the bank board until a Justice Department probe into the bank concludes. A federal judge ruled last month the probe lacked evidence.
Russian attacks in Ukraine. Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine overnight and early this morning killed at least seventeen people, Ukrainian officials said. It was one of the largest such attacks this year. The strikes hit sites including an office building and an apartment. Peace negotiations have been on hold since February, when the Iran war began.
Japan’s aid to Asia. Tokyo will provide around $10 billion in financial support to Southeast Asian neighbors struggling with rising oil prices, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said yesterday at a regional forum. She called Japan and its neighbors “mutually dependent,” highlighting Tokyo’s reliance on them for products like medical supplies. The aid will be dispersed through Japanese financial institutions rather than a release of Japanese petroleum reserves.
Iran’s World Cup participation. Iran will participate in the upcoming World Cup in North America “for sure,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said yesterday. Trump suggested last month that Iran’s participation could risk its players’ safety due to the war. Iran explored the possibility of boycotting participation within the United States and moving its games to Mexico, but Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said last week tournament officials had rejected that request. “Sports should be outside of politics,” Infantino said.
EU floats policy change on mergers. The European Union (EU) has outlined plans for the largest loosening of restrictions on corporate mergers in decades, according to draft rules seen by the Financial Times. The measure is part a bid to make European companies more competitive—specifically against U.S. and Chinese firms—on the world stage. The European Commission declined to comment.
School shootings in Turkey. Nine people as well as a gunman were killed yesterday in Turkey’s second school shooting in two days. Both incidents occurred in southeast Turkey. The first shooting on Monday left sixteen people wounded before the assailant shot himself at the scene. School shootings are rare in the country.
Jordan-UAE railway deal. Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) committed yesterday to advancing a $2.3 billion railroad investment deal. The agreement signed in Abu Dhabi creates a joint Emirati-Jordanian company to connect Jordan’s Port of Aqaba to its phosphate and potash mines. More broadly, the project aims to better connect Jordan to neighboring Arab countries.
Peru’s ongoing vote count. With 90 percent of votes counted from the first round of Sunday’s presidential election, left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez narrowly moved ahead of right-wing rival Rafael López Aliaga yesterday in the race for the second-place spot. Whoever secures the slot will advance to a runoff against the frontrunner, right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori.
