AFP USA

A Democratic US senator launched a fiery protest speech against President Donald Trump’s “unconstitutional” actions late Monday, then kept going, and going — and more than 20 hours later on Tuesday, he was still going.Senator Cory Booker’s display of endurance — to hold the floor he must remain standing and cannot even go to the bathroom — recalled the famous scene in Frank Capra’s 1939 film classic “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”Although Booker’s talk-a-thon was not actually blocking the majority Republican Party from holding votes in the Senate, as would be the case in a true filibuster, his defiance quickly became a rallying point for beleaguered Democrats.”I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis,” the 55-year-old New Jersey native said as he launched into his speech.”These are not normal times in America,” Booker added, his voice cracking. “And they should not be treated as such.”Booker, a former presidential candidate, seized command in the chamber at 7:00 pm (2300 GMT) Monday and was still speaking well into Tuesday afternoon.He lashed out at Trump’s radical cost-cutting policies that have seen his top advisor Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, slash entire government programs without consent from Congress.The senator said Trump’s aggressive seizing of ever-more executive power had put US democracy at risk.”Unnecessary hardships are being borne by Americans of all backgrounds. And institutions which are special in America, which are precious and which are unique in our country, are being recklessly — and I would say even unconstitutionally — affected, attacked, even shattered,” Booker said.”In just 71 days the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy,” he said.Because Booker’s obstruction did not occur during voting on any bill it was not technically a filibuster. But this marks the first time during Trump’s term that Democrats have deliberately gummed up Senate business.”Next vote: TBA,” or to be announced, the Senate Press Gallery posted on X early Tuesday.- Democrats struggle -Democratic lawmakers, in the minority in both the Senate and House of Representatives, have struggled over how to blunt Trump’s efforts to downsize government, ramp up deportations and shred much of the country’s political norms.”I just want to thank you for holding vigil for this country all night,” Senator Raphael Warnock told Booker on the floor.Booker dedicated much of his speech to criticizing Trump’s policies, but to pass the time he also recited poetry, discussed sports and entertained questions from colleagues.”If you love your neighbor, if you love this country, show your love. Stop them from doing what they’re trying to (do),” he said.The longest Senate speech on record was delivered by South Carolina’s Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

General Motors led US vehicle sales in the first quarter, according to company reports Tuesday, as the industry braces for President Donald Trump’s incoming tariffs this week.GM said its US sales jumped 17 percent in the quarter from the same period a year ago, reporting 693,363 deliveries.Fellow major automakers Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Kia also reported sales increases, while Ford logged a small decline.Tariffs of 25 percent on imported vehicles and certain parts are set to kick in Thursday, and economists warn that the charges could cause average auto prices to surge by thousands of dollars over time.Trump is also due to announce “reciprocal” levies midweek — which could hit imports from various countries — on a slew of other goods to address trade practices that his administration deems unfair.The tariffs could further affect US neighbors Canada and Mexico, both key players in North American vehicle manufacturing supply chains.”GM’s sales growth outpaced every other major automaker, and the driving force is our portfolio,” said Rory Harvey, GM’s president of global markets.The company pointed to sales growth in its Chevrolet and Cadillac brands, with increases seen among electric vehicle models as well.Meanwhile, Toyota Motor North America reported 0.9 percent growth in vehicle sales to 570,269 units for the quarter.Its executive vice president Mark Templin said the company continued to “see steady sales from our Toyota and Lexus brands due in part to improved inventory levels and new models.””We’re also seeing our sales mix of electrified vehicles increasing,” Templin said in a statement.Honda’s sales were up 5.3 percent from a year ago in the first quarter, those of Hyundai were up 10 percent, and Kia sales rose around 11 percent.But US auto giant Ford reported a 1.3-percent drop in US sales — to 501,291 vehicles — from the same period in 2024.The decline was mainly due to the discontinuation of certain models and the timing of rental fleet sales, the company said.But its first quarter figures were better than a forecast by automotive research firm Edmunds.Ford maintained in a statement that it saw “strong retail sales in March,” thanks to sales of its best-selling F-Series pickup trucks and the Ranger and Maverick models.Upcoming tariffs cast a pall over the auto industry, however, given that car parts will be targeted along with imported cars.JPMorgan analysts recently estimated that over 80 percent of Ford’s US sales are produced domestically. The corresponding figure for Honda was around 68 percent, Toyota about 57 percent and GM, 53 percent.But many of the components going into building those cars are imported.The American Automotive Policy Council representing the big three automakers — Ford, GM and Jeep-maker Stellantis — have warned that tariffs should be implemented in a way that avoids increasing costs for consumers and preserves the industry’s competitiveness.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday asked federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who allegedly gunned down an American health care CEO in a brazen attack.”Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America,” Bondi said in a statement.”After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case.”The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson brought to the surface deep public frustration with the lucrative US commercial health care system, with many social media users painting Mangione as a hero.Bondi called the murder “an act of political violence” that “may have posed grave risk of death to additional persons.”In response, Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo accused the Justice Department of moving “from the dysfunctional to the barbaric.”Mangione has been charged in both New York state and US federal court. In the state case, Mangione has pleaded not guilty and could face life imprisonment with no parole if convicted.Agnifilo said the call to execute Mangione is “political and goes against the recommendation of the local federal prosecutors, the law and historical precedent.”Early on December 4, Mangione allegedly tracked Thompson in New York, walked up behind him and fired several gunshots from a pistol with a silencer, federal prosecutors said. He had traveled to the city by bus from Atlanta about 10 days before the crime.Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9 following a tip from staff at a McDonald’s restaurant, after a days-long manhunt. His lawyer has sought clarity on how simultaneous federal and state charges would work, calling the situation “highly unusual.”

The last of the four American soldiers who went missing in Lithuania last week was on Tuesday also found dead, the US Army said, without providing additional details. The three other soldiers were found dead on Monday after rescuers recovered their M88 Hercules armoured vehicle from a swamp. Hundreds of local and foreign troops and others including engineers and divers had been involved in the operation.Lithuanian authorities received a report last Tuesday that the soldiers went missing during a military drill at a training ground in the eastern city of Pabrade, near the border with Belarus.”The fourth US Army Soldier… was found deceased near Pabrade, Lithuania the afternoon of April 1,” US Army Europe and Africa’s public affairs office said in a statement.”The Soldier’s identity is being withheld pending confirmation of notification of next of kin,” it added. The army did not specify where exactly the soldier was found. Hundreds of people gathered at the US embassy in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Tuesday evening to pay their respects to the four soldiers, who had been in Lithuania for two months.Carrying US flags, people laid flowers, lit candles and held a minute of silence for the soldiers. Lithuania’s defence ministry expressed “deep sorrow” over the death. “We extend our condolences to the families of all four soldiers lost in this tragic accident and thank all those involved in the search efforts,” it added on social network X. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth thanked the “brave servicemembers who enabled this difficult recovery and to our Lithuanian hosts”.”The recovery was conducted with urgency, resolve and deep respect for the fallen,” he said on X. “We will never forget these soldiers — and our prayers are with their families.”Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, hosts more than 1,000 American troops stationed on a rotational basis.

US President Donald Trump kept the world’s leading economies on edge Tuesday as he made final preparations for a “Liberation Day” announcement of sweeping new tariffs that could trigger a global trade war.Trump has promised to be “very kind” when he unveils the so-called reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday, but uncertainty reigned over which countries would be targeted and by how much.His plan has prompted vows of retaliation from major economies including the European Union on Canada and fears that it could unleash a recession at home and abroad.The White House said Trump, who will announce the tariffs in the Rose Garden at 2000 GMT on Wednesday, had “made a decision” but was still putting the finishing touches on the measures.”He is with his trade and tariff team right now, perfecting it to make sure this is a perfect deal for the American people and the American worker,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing.The White House would not confirm reports in US media that Trump was considering across-the-board tariffs of around 20 percent, rather than different amounts for different countries.But Leavitt said the tariffs would take effect “immediately” after the announcement, meaning there would be no time for foreign leaders to negotiate carve-outs before they start.- ‘Very nice’ -The Republican billionaire, a fan of tariffs for decades, indicated on Monday night that the tariffs would be lower than what other countries would be charging the United States.”We’re going to be very nice, relatively speaking, we’re going to be very kind,” he said in the Oval Office.Critics warn that the strategy risks a global trade war, provoking a chain reaction of retaliation. America’s trading partners have been preparing to respond, even as they continue efforts to make last-minute negotiations with Trump.”We are going to be very deliberate in terms of the measures we take, to fight for Canada,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who spoke to Trump last week, said on Tuesday.The European Union, which Trump has accused of trying to “screw” the United States, said Tuesday it still hoped to negotiate a solution — but that “all instruments are on the table” to retaliate if necessary.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Trump on “productive negotiations” towards a UK-US trade deal. Vietnam said on Tuesday it would slash duties on a range of goods to appease Trump. “The president is always up to take a phone call, always up for a good negotiation,” Leavitt said.- Volatile stocks -Trump, who returned to power in January, is promising even bigger tariffs than the ones he unleashed in his chaotic first term.He claims they will drive the “rebirth” of America as a manufacturing giant and stop it being “ripped off” by other countries.But his plans have caused huge uncertainty, jolting markets around the world for days.Stocks rose on Tuesday after days of volatility, as investors hoped that Trump’s latest tariffs could be his last.Fears of a recession are also mounting, with experts predicting US consumers will bear the brunt of tariffs in an economy already unnerved by huge US government cuts led by billionaire advisor Elon Musk.Trump has already imposed a range of tariffs on key economic rivals since taking office for a second time.Last week he announced a 25 percent tariff on all auto imports, while a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum from around the world came into effect in mid-March.China was hit in March by additional 20 percent tariffs on all goods, triggering retaliatory duties from Beijing. The EU has unveiled its own measures to start mid-April.Trump has however delayed tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.But the threat of a trade war has caused increasing political ructions, with Canada’s looming general election on April 28 set to be dominated by how to deal with Trump, who has also called for the United States to annex Canada.

Donald Trump had the world’s leading economies on edge Tuesday as the US president prepared to unveil a promised raft of tariffs that could trigger a cascading global trade war.Trump kept rivals and allies alike guessing about who would be targeted and by how much, but promised to be “very kind” when addressing what he has dubbed “Liberation Day” on Wednesday.Global stocks remained volatile ahead of the so-called “reciprocal tariffs,” which Trump says are necessary to combat unfair trade imbalances with countries that target the United States.The Republican billionaire, a fan of tariffs for decades, said on Monday night that he had “settled” on a plan but kept the world in suspense as he refused to reveal the details.Trump would only say that the tariffs would be lower than what other countries would be charging the United States, adding that “we sort of have a world obligation perhaps.””We’re going to be very nice, relatively speaking, we’re going to be very kind,” he said in the Oval Office.Trump is set to hold a “Make America Wealthy Again” press conference in the Rose Garden at the White House at 4:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Wednesday.- ‘Tough’ -Critics warn that the strategy risks a global trade war, provoking a chain reaction of retaliation by major trading partners like China, Canada and the European Union.America’s neighbors Canada and Mexico were already gearing up but suffered amid the uncertainty.”No one knows what’s going to happen,” Carrie McEachran, head of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce on the US-Canada border, told AFP. “It’s tough to put together a concrete plan.”Brussels, which Trump has accused of trying to “screw” the United States, said Tuesday it still hoped to negotiate a solution — but that “all instruments are on the table” to retaliate if necessary.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Trump on “productive negotiations” towards a UK-US trade deal. Vietnam said on Tuesday it would slash duties on a range of goods to head off Trump tariffs.Trump’s advisors have pitched imposing a 20 percent global tariff to hit almost all US trading partners, the Wall Street Journal reported, while the White House suggested Monday they might be “country specific.”The US president, who began his second term in office in January, claimed the tariffs will drive the “rebirth” of America as a manufacturing giant and stop it being “ripped off.”But his plans have caused huge uncertainty, jolting markets around the world and stoking fears of recession at home in America and abroad.- Volatile markets -Wall Street dipped on Tuesday but European and Asian stock markets rose as investors waited nervously for the announcement. Safe-haven gold touched a fresh record high.US stocks on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes have now had what is their worst quarter since 2022. US manufacturing shrunk again in March amid the uncertainty.Trump’s threatened tariffs have prompted other targets to gird themselves. China, South Korea and Japan formed a rare alliance at the weekend, agreeing to strengthen free trade between themselves.Trump has already imposed a range of tariffs on key economic rivals since returning to the White House.Last week he announced a 25 percent tariff on all auto imports, while a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum from around the world came into effect in mid-MarchChina was hit in March by additional 20 percent tariffs on all goods, triggering retaliatory duties from Beijing. The EU has unveiled is own measures to start mid-April.Trump has however delayed tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.But the threat of a trade war has caused increasing political ructions, with Canada’s looming general election on April 28 set to be dominated by how to deal with Trump, who has also called for the United States to annex Canada.

President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the top US military officer told lawmakers Tuesday he would be a nonpartisan leader amid concerns that senior members of the armed forces have been dismissed for political reasons.Democrats have sharply criticized the firing of general CQ Brown — the previous chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — and other top officers, accusing Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of seeking to ensure the military is led by people loyal to the president.Retired lieutenant general Dan Caine sought to allay such concerns about his nomination, saying that if confirmed, “I’ll continue the traditions and standards of my oath of office and my commission as a nonpartisan leader who will always strive to do the right thing.”Caine said that guarding against politicization of the military “starts with being a good example from the top and making sure that we are nonpartisan and apolitical and speaking the truth to power every day.””The nation and the Constitution all require a nonpartisan military,” he said.Caine also addressed an account that he had put on a “Make America Great Again” hat while meeting with Trump in the past, suggesting the president may have been recalling actions by someone else.”For 34 years, I’ve upheld my oath of office and my commitment to my commission, and I have never worn any political merchandise,” said Caine, who was nominated by Trump to replace Brown in a highly unusual move earlier this year.- ‘Razin’ Caine -Nominees for chairman of the Joint Chiefs must have served as the head of a military branch, as a commander of a combatant command or as vice chairman — none of which Caine has done — but the president may waive that requirement.Caine has served in positions including associate director for military affairs at the CIA as well as in various operational and staff roles, and flew more than 150 hours in combat as an F-16 pilot, an aircraft in which he logged more than 2,800 hours in total.A military official who served with Caine said shortly after Trump announced his nomination that the retired general has “never been a partisan actor, always been apolitical and focused on just simply warfighting and whatever the mission success is.”Trump has described Caine as “an accomplished pilot, national security expert, successful entrepreneur, and a ‘warfighter’ with significant interagency and special operations experience.”The president apparently became enamored of Caine after meeting him in Iraq during his first term, where the general told Trump that his nickname was “Razin.””I said, wait a minute, your name is Razin Caine? I love you, I’ve been looking for you for five years… this is what I want,” Trump told an investor forum in February.Trump abruptly fired Brown in February without explanation, leaving the vice chairman to lead the Joint Chiefs in an acting capacity.In addition to him, top US Navy officer admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Air Force vice chief of staff and three senior military lawyers have also been sacked.Hegseth has insisted the president is simply choosing the leaders he wants, but Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential politicization of the traditionally apolitical US military.

A Democratic US senator launched a fiery protest speech against President Donald Trump’s “unconstitutional” actions late Monday, then kept going, and going, and more than 16 hours later Tuesday was still going.Senator Cory Booker’s display of endurance — to hold the floor he must remain standing and cannot even go to the bathroom — recalled the famous scene in Frank Capra’s 1939 film classic “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”Although Booker’s talk-a-thon was not actually blocking the majority Republican Party from holding votes in the Senate, as would be the case in a true filibuster, his defiance quickly became a rallying point for beleaguered Democrats.”I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis,” the 55-year-old New Jersey native said as he launched into his speech.”These are not normal times in America,” Booker added, his voice cracking. “And they should not be treated as such.”Booker, a former presidential candidate, seized command in the chamber at 7:00 pm (2300 GMT) Monday and was still speaking well into Washington’s work day Tuesday.He lashed out at Trump’s radical cost-cutting policies which have seen his top advisor Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, slash entire government programs without consent from Congress.And the senator said Trump’s aggressive seizing of ever-more executive power had put American democracy itself at risk.”Unnecessary hardships are being borne by Americans of all backgrounds. And institutions which are special in America, which are precious and which are unique in our country, are being recklessly — and I would say even unconstitutionally — affected, attacked, even shattered,” Booker said.”In just 71 days the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy,” he said.Because Booker’s obstruction did not occur during voting on any bill it was not technically a filibuster. But this marks the first time during Trump’s term that Democrats have deliberately gummed up Senate business.”Next vote: TBA,” or to be announced, the Senate Press Gallery posted on X early Tuesday.- Democrats struggle for voice -Democratic lawmakers, in the minority in both the Senate and House of Representatives, have struggled over how to blunt Trump’s efforts to downsize government, ramp up deportations and shred much of the country’s political norms.”I just want to thank you for holding vigil for this country all night,” Senator Raphael Warnock told Booker on the floor.Booker passed the hours criticizing Trump’s policies, but to pass the time he also recited poetry, discussed sports and entertained questions from colleagues.In the latest portion of his mega-speech, Booker was discussing fears that Trump will undermine or dismantle the Social Security Administration.”I tell you I am going to fight for your Social Security…, I’m going to fight against unnecessary cuts that hurt the service it gives,” Booker said.”This is not a partisan moment, it is a moral moment. This is not a left or right moment, it is a right or wrong moment,” Booker said. “We have a president that is shredding the very agencies that Americans who are struggling are relying on.””All of us have to stand up and say ‘No, not on my watch,'” he said.The longest Senate speech on record was delivered by South Carolina’s Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Auto giant Ford reported a slight drop in first quarter US sales Tuesday, while investors await details of President Donald Trump’s upcoming tariffs this week and assess the effects of duties on major carmakers.The automaker reported a 1.3 percent dip in sales in the world’s biggest economy, to 501,291 vehicles, compared with the same period in 2024.This was mainly due to the discontinuation of certain vehicle models and rental fleet sales timing, the company said.But its first quarter figure exceeded a forecast by automotive research firm Edmunds.Ford maintained in a statement that it saw “strong retail sales in March.”It pointed to the sales of its best-selling F-Series pickup trucks and the Ranger and Maverick models as boosts to its overall performance.But economists warn that Trump’s sweeping tariffs on autos and parts, over time, could cause average auto prices to surge by thousands of dollars.Auto tariffs of 25 percent are set to kick in Thursday. Trump is due to announce additional reciprocal levies midweek to address trade practices his administration deems unfair.The reciprocal action could further affect US neighbors Canada and Mexico, both key players in North American vehicle manufacturing supply chains.JPMorgan analysts have estimated that over 80 percent of Ford’s US sales are produced domestically.The American Automotive Policy Council representing the big three automakers have warned that tariffs should be implemented in a way that avoids lifting costs for consumers and preserves the industry’s competitiveness.

A Democratic US senator launched a fiery protest speech against President Donald Trump’s “unconstitutional” actions late Monday, then kept going, and going, and 13 hours later Tuesday morning was still going.Senator Cory Booker’s display of endurance — to hold the floor he must remain standing and cannot even go to the bathroom — recalled the famous scene in Frank Capra’s 1939 film classic “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”Although Booker’s stunt was not actually blocking the majority Republican Party from doing anything in the Senate, as would be the case in a true filibuster, his defiance quickly became a rallying point for beleaguered Democrats.”I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis,” Booker said as he launched into his speech.”These are not normal times in America,” Booker said, his voice cracking. “And they should not be treated as such.”Booker, from New Jersey, seized command in the chamber at 7:00 pm (2300 GMT) Monday and was still speaking Tuesday morning as Washington began its day.Booker lashed out at Trump’s radical cost-cutting policies which have seen his top advisor Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, slash entire government programs without consent from Congress.And the senator said Trump’s aggressive seizing of ever-more executive power had put American democracy itself at risk.”Unnecessary hardships are being borne by Americans of all backgrounds. And institutions which are special in America, which are precious and which are unique in our country, are being recklessly — and I would say even unconstitutionally — affected, attacked, even shattered,” Booker said.”In just 71 days the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy,” he said.Because Booker’s obstruction of the Senate floor did not occur during voting on any bill it was not technically a filibuster.But his marathon may yet disrupt the Senate when business gets underway on Tuesday.”Next vote: TBA,” or to be announced, the Senate Press Gallery posted on X early Tuesday.In the lastest portion of his mega-speech, Booker was discussing fears that Trump will undermine or dismantle the Social Security Administration.”I tell you I am going to fight for your Social Security, I’m going to fight to protect the agency, I’m going to fight against unnecessary cuts that hurt the service it gives,” Booker said.The longest Senate speech on record was delivered by South Carolina’s Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas conducted a 21-hour talk-a-thon in September, 2013 as a protest against the health coverage law known as Obamacare.