Global stocks tumble as Trump proceeds with more US tariffs
Stock markets were in gloomy mode Tuesday as China, Mexico and Canada hit back at US tariffs and fears grew that Europe could be President Donald Trump’s next target in the growing global trade war.Wall Street stocks tumbled for a second straight session while European markets closed down sharply amid worries a prolonged trade spat may knock the world economy out of kilter.Frankfurt plunged more than 3.5 percent for its worst session in almost three years, while London shed 1.3 percent and Paris gave up 1.9 percent. “The headlines surrounding an impending global trade war have become too loud to ignore on the once-booming trading floor of Frankfurt,” noted Konstantin Oldenburger, analyst at CMC Markets.   “The sounds of trade disruptions are growing louder and are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, even though Trump has yet to impose any direct tariffs against Germany or the European Union.”Of the 11 industrial sectors in the S&P 500, 10 finished in negative territory, with technology flat.The biggest losers in the Dow included Boeing, which slid 6.6 percent, 3M, which dropped nearly five percent and American Express, which sank 4.1 percent.”The longer the tariffs last or are in effect, the longer that this market will decline,” Sam Stovall of CFRA Research said.”Investors are worried that we are headed for a recession and a bear market.” US tariffs of 25 percent for Canadian and Mexican goods came into effect on Tuesday along with the doubling of levies on Chinese imports to 20 percent. The three countries announced retaliatory moves.”The US administration is continuing to cause even more global upheaval and overnight by far the broadest set of tariffs yet has come into effect,” said Deutsche Bank analyst Jim Reid.But Reid added “there is still some market doubt as to whether all these tariffs will persist for a prolonged period of time.”The European Union warned that the tariffs on Canada and Mexico risk “disrupting global trade,” and urged Washington to reverse course.”These tariffs threaten deeply integrated supply chains, investment flows, and economic stability across the Atlantic,” said EU trade spokesman Olof Gill.Amid fears the EU will be the next target, French Economy Minister Eric Lombard insisted that the bloc would be tough in negotiations.”We have negotiators who are playing hardball, we will play hardball but… we need to reach a balanced deal to protect our economies,” Lombard said.- China congress and eurozone rates -Traders have their eyes on other major economic events this week.Investors hope China will announce a huge economic stimulus package at its annual parliamentary meeting, the National People’s Congress.On Thursday, the European Central Bank is expected to cut interest rates again to try to boost a floundering eurozone economy.The key scheduled economic event Friday will be US jobs data.- Key figures around 2130 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN 1.6 percent at 42,520.99 (close)New York – S&P 500: DOWN 1.2 percent at 5,778.15 (close)New York – Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 18,285.16 (close) London – FTSE 100: DOWN 1.3 percent at 8,759.00 (close)Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 1.9 percent at 8,047.92 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 3.5 percent at 22,326.81 (close) Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.2 percent at 37,331.18 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 22,941.77 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 3,324.21 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at 1.0611 from $1.0487 on MondayPound/dollar: UP at $1.2789 from $1.2701 Dollar/yen: UP 149.75 from 149.50 yenEuro/pound: UP at 82.96 pence from 82.57 pence West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.2 percent at $68.26 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.8 percent at $71.04 per barrel
Impassible, Le Scouarnec évoque sa “pédophilie” et sa “transgression” permanente
Pressé de questions par la cour criminelle du Morbihan qui le juge pour des violences sexuelles sur 299 patients, souvent mineurs, Joël Le Scouarnec a détaillé sans ciller une sexualité où la “transgression” permanente allait de pair avec une pédophilie méticuleusement organisée et décrite dans les milliers de pages de ses carnets.Âgé de 74 ans, le médecin cachait des revues pédopornographiques, des clichés de lui-même nu “dans des positions suggestives” et des disques durs remplis de photos pédopornographiques en haut d’une armoire, raconte-t-il dans la salle du tribunal de Vannes.D’une voix impassible, jamais troublée par l’émotion, l’accusé décrit une organisation bien rodée: il écrit “quotidiennement dans (son) journal intime”, met en gras le mot “éjaculer” puis rapporte dans un fichier excel le nombre de ses éjaculations mensuelles.Dans les milliers de pages de ce que la cour appelle “les carnets”, Joël Le Scouarnec a décrit in extenso les viols et agressions sexuelles infligés à quelque 300 victimes, dont de nombreux patients dans des hôpitaux de l’ouest de 1989 à 2014, mais consigné aussi le “journal intime” de sa sexualité.”J’ai écrit des atrocités sans pour autant les penser”, affirme-t-il, évoquant une “surenchère du fantasme”. “Plus c’était ignoble, sordide, plus je m’y complaisais.” “Ca a tout envahi (…) J’étais dans la transgression en permanence, je ne m’interdisais rien.”Pédophile, sadique, masochiste, exhibitionniste, scatophile, zoophile… La présidente Aude Buresi lit un extrait du carnet de 2004 où le médecin énumérait ses paraphilies puis concluait “et j’en suis heureux”.Elle évoque aussi ses poupées, dont certaines “avaient la taille d’un enfant de cinq ans”, selon Joël Le Scouarnec. “Vous avez pleuré lorsqu’elles ont été détruites” après la perquisition à la suite de son arrestation en 2017?”, demande Mme Buresi. “Non. J’ai regardé Véronique (l’une d’elles) et je lui ai dit +maintenant, c’est fini+.”- “Plongée dans l’horreur” -Celui qui s’autoproclamait “le plus grand pervers du monde” buvait son urine, préparait des gâteaux avec son sperme, subtilisait les culottes sales de petites filles, essayait de se faire pénétrer par son chien…Et répond à la cour sans flancher depuis son box, couronne de cheveux blancs sur crâne chauve, veste à zip entrouverte.”J’ai l’impression d’être plongée dans l’horreur. Et depuis le départ, on a l’impression que ça ne s’arrête jamais, que c’est de plus en plus profond et abyssal tout ce qu’on apprend”, a déploré Amélie Lévêque, 43 ans, victime de l’ex-chirurgien à l’âge de 9 ans.”L’ampleur de cette affaire, elle est bien plus grande que ce qu’on voit aujourd’hui”, selon elle.Mardi matin, il a martelé être à la fois “le bon chirurgien et le pervers qui n’avait aucun état d’âme”. “Ce sont deux choses qui se juxtaposent (mais) cette activité pédophile n’a pas eu de retentissement sur mon activité professionnelle”, a-t-il dit.”J’ai été ce chirurgien qui a profité de son statut pour abuser d’enfants”, consent-il.Et pour arriver à ses fins, l’ex-chirurgien a avoué “provoquer des opportunités” à l’hôpital.”Je faisais la visite avec une infirmière et quand elle avait regagné son poste, si j’avais vu qu’un enfant était seul dans sa chambre, j’y retournais”, a-t-il affirmé.Il a ensuite indiqué avoir sédaté “une seule fois” une victime, qui ne fait pas partie des 299 victimes pour lesquelles il est jugé à Vannes depuis le 24 février.L’ex-chirurgien a indiqué avoir utilisé un “produit anesthésiant”. Ses propos ont été actés par procès verbal et pourront servir à une procédure ultérieure.- “Au conditionnel” -Le médecin a promis lundi d'”assumer” ses actes. “Si j’ai commis un viol, je dirai: +J’ai commis un viol+.”Mais l’ancien médecin maintient que ses journaux intimes comportent une part de fantasme, des passages écrits “au conditionnel”. Ce qui était “au présent” pouvait relever d’actes “purement médicaux mais que je fantasmais ou des actes que j’ai accomplis réellement et que je reconnaitrai”, a-t-il poursuivi.Comment faire la différence ? “La seule personne qui peut vous donner les explications, c’est moi”, répond l’accusé, la présidente répliquant qu’il gardait ainsi “le pouvoir”.C’était une “journée intense”, a déclaré Me Maxime Tessier, louant la “sincérité d’un homme” qui a jugé ses actes et ses écrits d'”abject, gigantesque gâchis, horreur, atrocité, cruauté”.Il a rappelé “l’engagement (de son client) de dire la vérité (…) de reconnaître la souffrance qu’il a infligée aux victimes, chacune de manière individuelle.””On a effectivement Joël Le Scouarnec qui parle au présent et donc au conditionnel, qui reconnaît des viols” sur des fillettes, a salué Me Francesca Satta, avocate de plusieurs parties civiles.L’interrogatoire de l’accusé doit se poursuivre mercredi à 13H, avant l’audition de ses anciens associés.
Trump to lay out vision to Congress amid Ukraine and trade tensions
President Donald Trump will tout radical plans to reshape the US government and end the Ukraine war Tuesday as he addresses Congress for the first time since his blistering return to power six weeks ago.Trump’s theme will be the “renewal of the American dream” but it promises to be a divisive evening, with the high-octane start to his second term causing huge upheaval at home and abroad.The Republican is expected to set out what he views as his key achievements, including a record blitz of executive orders and an assault on the federal bureaucracy led by Elon Musk, the world’s richest man.Space X and Tesla tycoon Musk will be at the US Capitol to watch the speech, which is to begin at 9.00pm (0200 GMT Wednesday).Trump will also set out his vision on the economy — even as the trade war he launched against Canada, China and Mexico roils world markets and threatens to raise prices at home.Despite a bitter row in the Oval Office with Ukraine’s leader just days ago and a pivot to Moscow that has stunned allies, Trump will then lay out his plans to end the grueling three-year conflict.”He’s going to dive into foreign policy, talk about his intention to end the war in Ukraine,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Tuesday.Trump had said on Monday that he would “let you know” during the speech about the fate of a minerals deal with Ukraine that remains unsigned after Volodymyr Zelensky’s disastrous visit.Leavitt said Trump would also discuss his “plan to bring all the hostages out of Gaza” — the Palestinian territory he has proposed that the United States should take over, sparking outrage across the Middle East.The US president will finally ask Congress for funds to support his plan for mass deportations of undocumented migrants, some of whom his administration has already dispatched to Guantanamo Bay.Trump said the address “will be big” and promised to “tell it like it is,” in a post on his Truth Social network on Monday.- ‘Big day’ -It will mark a triumphant comeback to the Capitol for Trump, just four years after he left office in disgrace after his supporters stormed the building in protest at his 2020 election loss.Trump returns as the most powerful Republican president in decades, with the popular vote behind him and a Republican-controlled House and Senate doing his bidding.The 78-year-old also appears to be determined to test the limits of presidential power — in the face of Congress and the courts if necessary — referring to himself on occasion as a “king” and musing about a constitutionally-barred third term.Aided by Musk, Trump has pushed through an unprecedented blitz on the federal bureaucracy that has led to thousands of job cuts, the closure of entire agencies and the decimation of foreign aid.Republicans have welcomed Trump’s rapid start to his new term and have thrown up few roadblocks. They rapidly confirmed a number of cabinet members including vaccine skeptic Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Democrats have so far struggled to counter Trump’s “flood the zone” strategy and his hogging of the news cycle with constant press conferences.But the speech promises to be rowdy, with Democratic lawmakers bringing as guests a number of federal workers targeted by Musk’s Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).The Democratic rebuttal to Trump’s address will be provided by new Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin, a 48-year-old former CIA analyst and rising star in the party.Republicans are expected to cheer Trump on loudly, while the president and First Lady Melania Trump will invite guests who reflect his speech’s priorities.”We’re so excited — it’s a big day and it’s a big night for President Trump and we know he’s going to give a fantastic speech,” Leavitt said.
Car bomb attack in northwest Pakistan kills 12, wounds dozens
At least 12 civilians were killed, including three children, and dozens injured Tuesday evening after two explosive-laden vehicles were detonated at an army compound in northwest Pakistan, officials said, with the attack quickly claimed by a militant group.The massive explosions and an ensuing gunfight occurred at sunset, as people were breaking their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced “cowardly terrorists who target innocent civilians during the holy month of Ramadan” and “deserve no mercy”.The attack took place in Bannu, a district in Pakistan’s turbulent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which lies adjacent to the country’s formerly self-governed tribal areas.A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP late in the night that the death toll had risen to twelve, including three children and two women, with 32 wounded.An intelligence official earlier told AFP that 12 militants had attempted to storm the compound after the suicide bombings, and that six of the attackers had been shot dead.”The blasts created two four-foot craters, and due to their intensity, at least eight houses in the locality have been damaged,” a police official said.The attack was claimed by a faction of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur armed group, which actively supported the Afghan Taliban in its war against the US-led NATO coalition since 2001.”Our fighters got access to an important target and took control,” the group said in a statement, without providing further details.Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack in a statement as “heinous”, saying the “entire nation rejects such despicable acts.”- ‘Apocalyptic’ -Plumes of gray smoke rose into the air after the two explosions, while gunshots continued, with gunfire heard from a distance in the area.”The force of the explosion threw me several feet away… The explosion was so intense that it caused significant damage to the neighbourhood,” 40-year-old local Nadir Ali Shah told AFP in hospital, as he received treatment for head and leg injuries.”It was a scene of apocalyptic devastation,” he added.The attack comes days after a suicide bomber killed six people at an Islamic religious school in Pakistan, attended by key Taliban leaders in the same province.Similar attacks have increased in Pakistan since the Taliban authorities returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.Hafiz Gul Bahadur carried out another attack on the same compound last July, detonating an explosive-laden vehicle against the boundary wall, killing eight Pakistani soldiers.Last year was the deadliest in a decade for Pakistan, home to 250 million people, with a surge in attacks that killed more than 1,600 people, according to Islamabad-based analysis group the Center for Research and Security Studies.The violence is largely limited to the country’s border regions with Afghanistan.Islamabad accuses Kabul’s rulers of failing to root out militants sheltering on Afghan soil as they prepare to stage assaults on Pakistan, a charge the Taliban government denies.
Car bomb attack in northwest Pakistan kills 12, wounds dozens
At least 12 civilians were killed, including three children, and dozens injured Tuesday evening after two explosive-laden vehicles were detonated at an army compound in northwest Pakistan, officials said, with the attack quickly claimed by a militant group.The massive explosions and an ensuing gunfight occurred at sunset, as people were breaking their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced “cowardly terrorists who target innocent civilians during the holy month of Ramadan” and “deserve no mercy”.The attack took place in Bannu, a district in Pakistan’s turbulent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which lies adjacent to the country’s formerly self-governed tribal areas.A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP late in the night that the death toll had risen to twelve, including three children and two women, with 32 wounded.An intelligence official earlier told AFP that 12 militants had attempted to storm the compound after the suicide bombings, and that six of the attackers had been shot dead.”The blasts created two four-foot craters, and due to their intensity, at least eight houses in the locality have been damaged,” a police official said.The attack was claimed by a faction of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur armed group, which actively supported the Afghan Taliban in its war against the US-led NATO coalition since 2001.”Our fighters got access to an important target and took control,” the group said in a statement, without providing further details.Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack in a statement as “heinous”, saying the “entire nation rejects such despicable acts.”- ‘Apocalyptic’ -Plumes of gray smoke rose into the air after the two explosions, while gunshots continued, with gunfire heard from a distance in the area.”The force of the explosion threw me several feet away… The explosion was so intense that it caused significant damage to the neighbourhood,” 40-year-old local Nadir Ali Shah told AFP in hospital, as he received treatment for head and leg injuries.”It was a scene of apocalyptic devastation,” he added.The attack comes days after a suicide bomber killed six people at an Islamic religious school in Pakistan, attended by key Taliban leaders in the same province.Similar attacks have increased in Pakistan since the Taliban authorities returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.Hafiz Gul Bahadur carried out another attack on the same compound last July, detonating an explosive-laden vehicle against the boundary wall, killing eight Pakistani soldiers.Last year was the deadliest in a decade for Pakistan, home to 250 million people, with a surge in attacks that killed more than 1,600 people, according to Islamabad-based analysis group the Center for Research and Security Studies.The violence is largely limited to the country’s border regions with Afghanistan.Islamabad accuses Kabul’s rulers of failing to root out militants sheltering on Afghan soil as they prepare to stage assaults on Pakistan, a charge the Taliban government denies.
‘We will endure’: Mexican truckers stoic in face of Trump tariffs
Stuck in a queue at the Mexican-US border, truck driver Juan Diego Mendoza said he was worried about the fallout of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, but believed Mexicans were resilient enough to cope.”We’re economically strong and self-sufficient. Unlike them, we’re not looking for the car of the year or the best cut of meat. We’re happy with a plate of beans and an egg,” the 31-year-old told AFP.Mendoza woke earlier than usual to hear Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s response to Trump’s 25-percent tariff.He supported her decision to wait until Sunday before laying out retaliatory measures, while leaving the door wide open for dialogue.”The president is handling it intelligently, without getting excited or letting herself be provoked by the arrogance of Trump, who thinks he owns the world,” Mendoza said, at a crossing between Tijuana and San Diego.The tariff “will have an impact, but we will endure,” he said, warming up the engine of the truck in which he brings meat from the United States to Mexico.Mendoza is already feeling the impact of the trade tensions, which Trump has linked to drug trafficking and illegal migration.Due to increased security ordered by Sheinbaum, he and thousands of other truck drivers take up to five hours to cross the border, where vehicles undergo X-rays for contraband.- Longer waiting times -Sheinbaum announced the deployment of 10,000 more troops to the frontier in February in exchange for Trump delaying tariffs.But the pause expired on Tuesday, and longer waiting times due to increased security at the border have led to fewer trips and reduced profits for some haulage companies.Even before tariffs took effect, 28-year-old truck driver Angel Cervantes said he was feeling the squeeze from duties Trump imposed on China.There was less work available because many companies in Tijuana export Chinese brand goods, he said, adding that his company lost one client who sold air conditioners.Cervantes said his income had dropped from about $800 a week to $600, making it harder to support his wife and two children.But he was confident that Mexico’s free trade agreement with the United States and Canada would survive.Truck driver Jonathan Figueroa, 26, said that he lost his previous job when a big client of his former employer decided to move its solar panel plant from Mexico to the United States.”My boss had told me that if Donald Trump won the presidency, the company we supplied would be taken to New Mexico. And so it was,” said the 26-year-old, who was unemployed for four months.As well as truckers, the tariffs have triggered unease among the many workers in the factories in Mexico’s industrial border zones.After finishing her 12-hour shift at a car speaker plant, Maria Virginia Gutierrez admitted that she was worried, especially since the factory passed from American hands to a Chinese investor at the start of the year. Although many in Tijuana fear tariffs will bring pain, there is also a sense that Mexico must maintain its pride and self-respect in the face of Trump’s threats. “We have to defend ourselves,” Mendoza said.