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by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Saturday, May 2.
- Could Santa Marta climate talks mark ground zero in push to ditch fossil fuels? (“Colombia hosted nearly 60 countries at pivotal time on world stage for fight to transition to a clean energy future”)
- How Oil Fuels Conflict and War—and Who Profits (“A future powered by clean energy would be not only more affordable, but potentially more peaceful.”)
- Ukraine war briefing: Russian oil hub of Tuapse hit for fourth time as environmental disaster mounts
- I Played Putin in a War Game. The Most Dangerous Period May Be Coming.
- Exxon Mobil CEO expects higher oil prices due to Iran war: ‘The market hasn’t seen the full impact’
- US warns shipping firms they could face sanctions over paying Iranian tolls in the Strait of Hormuz
- Scoop: U.S. blockade has cost Iran $4.8 billion, Pentagon says
- Trump tells Congress the Iran war has ‘terminated’ as legal deadline hits (“The letter to lawmakers attempts to justify why the president is not seeking congressional authorization after the conflict reaches a 60-day threshold.”)
- As Iran War Reaches 60-Day Mark, Republicans in Congress Grow Impatient With Trump (“Months into the operation and with midterms looming, some lawmakers are calling for Congress to restrain the president’s war power or set terms for bringing the conflict to a close.”)
- Trump says he doesn’t need congressional authorization for military operations in Iran, citing ceasefire (“Trump told reporters he considers seeking congressional authorization under the War Powers Act ‘unconstitutional’ and falsely claimed other presidents had not done so.” Also, a president can’t just claim that a law is unconstitutional so he or she doesn’t have to follow it.)
- The Real Reason Iran Hasn’t Struck a Deal (“The standoff isn’t about hard-liners blocking pragmatists inside Iran, but about both sides believing that they have won the war.”)
- Iran offers new response on draft peace deal, Trump “not satisfied”
- Iran War Gives U.S.’s Rivals a Real-Time Look at Its Firepower (“Adversaries have watched the U.S. burn through missile stockpiles, seen new tech in action and witnessed what cheap weapons can do to a stronger foe”)
- Why Trump says the US-Iran war is over (“Trump’s plan to evade an Iran deadline, briefly explained.”)
- The US Is Showing Iran Why It Needs a Nuclear Weapon
- The Iran War Is Terminated Because Trump Said So (“Pro tip, Mr. President: If you are still blockading ports, that’s an act of war.”)
- White House Claims Iran War Has Been ‘Terminated,’ Despite Ongoing Blockade. Experts Say That’s Absurd.
- Day 63 of Middle East conflict — Trump considers it ‘treasonous’ to say US isn’t winning war
- Two months into the Iran war, almost everybody is a loser
- Trump says US navy like ‘pirates’ while seizing a ship in Iranian blockade (“US president says ‘we took over the cargo, took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business’” WTF???)
- The Memo: Trump’s frustration on Iran boils over in attacks against media
- How Germany Misjudged Trump’s Anger on Iran
- Trump Orders the Withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. Troops From Germany (“The move comes after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the U.S. president’s handling of the war in Iran”)
- Germany says it expected Trump’s withdrawal of US troops as row over Iran comments grows
- ‘Humiliated’ Trump Taking Toy Soldiers Home in Epic Tantrum
- Germany urges stronger European defense after U.S. reduces troops
- Trump administration is pulling 5,000 troops from Germany (“President Donald Trump threatened to do so earlier this week, following criticism by the German chancellor over the U.S. and Israel-led war with Iran.”)
- Trump says he will raise tariff on autos from European Union to 25% (The media is normalizing this illegality.)
- Trump’s Qatari-Gifted Air Force One Will Keep Its Luxurious Royal Interior (“The Air Force says $400 million to modify the plane went to security measures, not aesthetics”)
- Mexico City is sinking so quickly, it can be seen from space
- Cuba says Trump’s fresh sanctions on its economy amount to ‘collective punishment’ (“The US sanctions target people operating in broad sections of Cuban economy, including energy, defence and mining”)
- ‘Deplorable’: ICE hires firm accused of ‘torture’ to track down undocumented children (“Exclusive: Contractor denies allegations including ‘enforced disappearance’ and will help locate unaccompanied minors”)
- Gas prices jump to $4.39 per gallon in biggest one-day increase since Iran ceasefire announced (“Since the war started, the average nationwide price of unleaded gas has risen more than 47%.”)
- A Right-Wing Court Just Moved to Choke Off Abortion by Mail (“A sweeping decision threatens to unravel one of the most important pathways to care post-Dobbs.”)
- The Court’s Corruption Seeps Into Every Tissue of American Life
- Court restricts abortion access across the US by blocking the mailing of mifepristone (Far-right activists in robes.)
- Appeals court blocks FDA rule that allows women to obtain abortion drugs by mail
- Appeals court approves sweeping abortion pill restrictions, teeing up SCOTUS showdown (“The temporary ruling will curtail access nationwide to a drug used in more than two-thirds of abortions.” Insanity.)
- Kennedy Consulted With Scandal P.R. Firm While Seeking Cabinet Nominatio (“An associate of the firm, which has been accused of running a smear campaign against the actress Blake Lively, promised to suppress negative stories about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., records show.”)
- N.I.H. Reinstates Employee Put on Leave After Criticizing Trump
- Trump Loses Ground on Several Personal Traits as Approval Rating Slips (“Majority of Americans say level of ethics and honesty in government has fallen during Trump’s term”)
- The everything, everywhere, all at once corruption story. (“I’m pleading with you to look at the president’s self-dealing.”)
- Trump has lost control of the conspiracy theories (“Trump has long used conspiracy theories to his benefit. But now that he’s president, he’s the target of some influencers who have pushed those theories.”)
- 2026 Senate races to watch: From most likely to flip to Democratic long shots
- Graham Platner Got Everything He Wanted. Is That Good for Democrats’ Hopes of Retaking the Senate?
- Trump’s Push for Electoral Retribution Heads to the Ballot Box
- Thousands in US join ‘no school, no work, no shopping’ May Day protest and economic blackout
- The White House power play post-dinner shooting: do what we say or else (“After correspondents’ dinner shooting, administration has rushed to capitalize in pursuit of its political goals”)
- Which states might redraw congressional maps in 2026, 2028 after Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling
- Two more Southern states move toward adding Republican House seats (“GOP-led states are rushing to take advantage of the Supreme Court’s decision to curtail the Voting Rights Act with new maps that could end the careers of several Black Democratic House members.”)
- ‘An unmitigated s–t show fever dream’: Louisiana enters election chaos (“Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s decision has set off a scramble among local election heads, GOP state legislators and candidates on both sides of the aisle.”)
- Voters Sue Over Louisiana Governor’s Move to Delay Primary
- Schwab Affiliate Halts Customer Donations to Southern Poverty Law Center (“Fidelity’s and Vanguard’s donor-advised fund entities have taken similar actions since a Justice Department indictment of the civil rights group.” WTF???)
- Trump’s Vision for ‘Garden of Heroes’ Keeps Getting Bigger and Higher in Cost (“Plans for the project include formal gardens, reflecting pools and plazas alongside the statues of 250 notable Americans, according to documents obtained by The New York Times.”)
- Spirit Airlines shuts down after White House rescue deal falls through
- Spirit Airlines Prepares to Shut Down as Rescue Deal Falls Apart (“A $500 million government bailout falters as the discount carrier runs low on cash and bondholders balk”)
- Bard College’s president to retire after scrutiny of relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
- Biden backs Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia governor in his first endorsement since leaving office (“Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, served as a senior adviser in the Biden administration.”)
- The Politics Hour: A year later, how has drastic federal workforce cuts changed the region? (Very interesting interview with Gov. Ralph Northam’s former Chief of Staff, Clark Mercer, who is now Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Executive Director)
- Here are the candidates hoping to win Virginia’s 2nd District congressional seat
- Video: Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA11) Says “Ted Waitt was in a serious romantic relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell while she engaged in crimes with Epstein” (On the Iran war, Rep. Walkinshaw says “after the 60-day mark we begin 30 days in which the law is very clear – the president has to withdraw US forces absent a congressional authorization”)
- Give Rob Tracinski a chance: Former Tea Party guy has some good ideas (“…the bigger issue is that his most recent federal fundraising report has him at $44,131.61; Tom Perriello has raised $1.4 million, and Beth Macy has raised $1.1 million.” Perriello’s the overwhelming favorite in this race, followed by Macy.)
- State election board unable to certify redistricting referendum
- Virginia Board of Elections still unable to certify April special election (It wasn’t really a “special election,” it was a constitutional referendum.)
- Governor Abigail Spanberger Announces David Wilkinson as Chief Transformation Officer (Among other things, Wilkinson previously served as President Obama’s Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation)
- Gov. Abigail Spanberger Orders Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff “in Memory and Respect of Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, Victims of Domestic Violence” (Gov. Spanberger stresses “solemn commitment to helping those who face domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence”)
- Mayor Avula sends letter to Gov. Spanberger raising concerns about Virginia collective bargaining bill (“Avula’s letter said the bills as currently written could cause ‘significant implications’ for local governments.”)
- Redeveloping Coliseum will require public money, Avula says
- Waynesboro: Adam Seipel announces candidacy for Ward D School Board seat
- Gloucester man sentenced to life for sexually abusing, exploiting exchange student (Disgusting.)
- CWG Live: Cooler this weekend before early-week warmup
