On The Deals Shaping Our Economy
"Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office"
Former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has been arrested by London's Metropolitan Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The details: Authorities are investigating the 72-year-old former cabinet minister over allegations that he leaked confidential government documents to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and received $75,000 from the financier.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously asserted that Mandelson "lied repeatedly" regarding the true depth of his relationship with Epstein.
Cartel boss killed, chaos ensues
Mexican security forces, with intelligence support from the US, have killed Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Why it matters: The operation fulfills US demands for a tougher stance on organized crime, but the immediate aftermath has been violent.
The fallout: Cartel operatives retaliated instantly with arson and roadblocks, sparking at least 30 violent incidents in Guadalajara alone.
"The good guys are stronger than the bad guys."
📉 Trump's 15% tariff shock
Global markets are bracing for impact after President Donald Trump announced a flat 15% tariff on US trading partners.
The move comes right after the Supreme Court struck down his previous emergency trade policy.
Market snapshot: Wall Street stumbled out of the gate, with the S&P 500 dropping 0.6% and the Nasdaq falling 0.7%. Meanwhile, gold surged 1.7% to a staggering $5,191 an ounce.
The silver lining for some: Asian equities actually rallied.
Morgan Stanley economists noted that the new 15% rate is lower than the previous levies, stating, "it does appear to us that tariffs on Asia have likely peaked".
🌍 A culture warrior in Pretoria
Conservative activist Leo Brent Bozell III has officially presented his diplomatic credentials, assuming his role as the US ambassador to South Africa.
The backdrop: He enters a deeply fractured diplomatic environment. The Trump administration has already cut aid, levied severe 30% tariffs on South African exports, and aggressively pushed a baseless narrative regarding the persecution of the country's white minority.
Observers expect a rocky tenure.
This is a private newsletter, if you’d like a colleague added, please reach out with their email.
If you’d like to support the work, there are several options. Cancel anytime.