California on the Cusp

Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Marc Joffe

“California voters will decide this year whether the state will remain the global center of technology innovation or begin a steady decline. Their choice for governor and on a key ballot initiative will make the difference. The top three Democratic gubernatorial candidates enjoy strong backing from organized labor, including the state’s all-powerful public-employee unions. If elected, it’s nearly certain they’ll follow the union playbook of more taxes and regulations for the next four or even eight years.” (04/09/26)

https://fee.org/articles/california-on-the-cusp/

Thomas L. Knapp

What comes next in the Iran war? What this ceasefire will and won’t do

Source: Fox News
by Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, (USA, ret.)

“The Iran ceasefire was less than three hours old when missiles began flying from Iran toward Israel and the Gulf states. That detail — documented in real time — tells you more about the durability of this agreement than any official statement. A pause is not peace. A handshake in Islamabad is not a settlement. And a region that has been at war for 40 days does not stand down because two governments issued parallel social media posts. The two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army chief Gen. Asim Munir is genuinely welcome. It stepped both sides back from a precipice with real humanitarian and strategic consequences. But Vice President JD Vance himself called it a ‘fragile truce.’ That is the most honest thing anyone in this administration has said about it. Hold that phrase.” (04/09/26)

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/what-comes-next-iran-war-what-ceasefire-will-wont-do

Steve Trinward

Venezuela: Police attack protesters with chemical weapons

Source: France 24 [French state media]

“Venezuelan police fired tear gas on Thursday to disperse around 2,000 protesters who marched towards the presidential palace to demand salary increases, AFP reporters said. ‘Let’s go to Miraflores!’ the demonstrators shouted as they pressed long-standing demands for increases to wages so low that many struggle to survive. Riot police with helmets and shields attempted to drive back the protesters as they made their way through central Caracas, a few kilometres from the presidential palace. The protests reflect growing anger in Venezuela over the failure of acting President Delcy Rodriguez to set out concrete plans to address the situation. On Wednesday, she went on television to announce a wage increase on May 1 but did not disclose the amount.” (04/09/26)

https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260409-venezuela-police-tear-gas-protesters-calling-for-pay-and-pension-rises

Thomas L. Knapp

UK & Norway led military operation to deter Russian submarines in North Atlantic

Source: SFGate

“Britain and Norway conducted a weekslong military operation to deter Russian spy submarines near undersea cables in the North Atlantic, the U.K. defense chief said Thursday, accusing Moscow of using the distraction of the Iran war to ramp up malign activity against Europe. Defense Secretary John Healey said a Royal Navy frigate, aircraft and hundreds of personnel were involved in tracking a Russian attack sub and two spy submarines operating north of the U.K., and prevented the spy vessels from carrying out ‘nefarious’ activities against underwater infrastructure. He said the Russian vessels eventually left after the operation that lasted more than a month. There is no evidence of damage to any cables or pipes, he said. The U.K. said other allies were also involved in the operation, but didn’t name them.” (04/09/26)

https://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/uk-and-norway-led-a-military-operation-to-deter-22197137.php

Steve Trinward