Trump threat of 100% tariffs against Brics nations raises trade war fears.

 

Fears of a global trade war have risen after Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on countries in the Brics group if they create a new currency to rival the US dollar.

Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday, Trump declared that he would also act if they supported another currency to replace the dollar.

“We require a commitment from these countries that they will neither create a new Brics currency nor back any other currency to replace the mighty US dollar or they will face 100% tariffs and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US economy,” Trump said.

“They can go find another sucker. There is no chance that the Brics will replace the US dollar in international trade, and any country that tries should wave goodbye to America,” he added.

The warning came less than a week after Trump declared he would impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China once he was inaugurated as president.

Trump’s talk of tariffs raises fears of hit to economies worldwide

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The Brics group was originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and has been joined by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran.

Some Brics members have shown interest in de-dollarising the world economy. In October, Vladimir Putin called for an alternative international payments system that could prevent the US from using the dollar as a political weapon. Others, though, fear the consequences of severing relations with the US and other western countries by breaking away from the dollar, which underpins world finance.

A 100% tariff at the US border, if implemented, would drive up sharply the cost of goods from Brics members, fuelling US inflation and destabilising global trade flows.

Stephen Innes, a managing partner at SPI Asset Management, said Trump had laid down the gauntlet with a “blistering proposal” of a 100% tariff.

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Trump picks Patel to lead FBI

 

President Donald Trump announced Saturday night that he has picked staunch Trump loyalist Kash Patel as the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Patel, a Trump transition insider, has been one of Trump’s most visible and vocal allies, showing up at his criminal trial in Manhattan, perpetuating conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. He worked as chief of staff to the secretary of Defense during the first Trump administration, and has been outspoken about calling for a purge of Trump’s enemies from the Justice Department, FBI and other intelligence agencies.

Trump, in a post to Truth Social, called Patel a “brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People.”

“He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution,” the president-elect added, referring to the role Patel played as a staffer in crafting House Republican responses to the investigation into Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. 

At the time, Patel was an aide to Republican Rep. Devin Nunes (Calif.), then the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, a position that helped raise his profile in Trump’s inner circle.

If confirmed, Patel will replace current FBI Director Chris Wray, whom Trump nominated in 2017 after firing James Comey, cutting his 10-year term short. Wray’s term is not set to expire until 2027, so Trump will have to fire Wray to install Patel, if Wray doesn’t resign first.

The FBI released a statement in response to the announcement, saying, “Every day, the men and women of the FBI continue to work to protect Americans from a growing array of threats. Director Wray’s focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for.

Patel was angling to be deputy director of the CIA, a position that would not have required Senate confirmation, unlike the FBI director post, which does. It’s unclear whether Patel, who is a divisive figure even among Trump loyalists, will have the votes needed in the Senate to be confirmed.

When Trump floated naming Patel deputy director of the FBI during his first administration, then-Attorney General Bill Barr responded “over my dead body,” according to reporting at the time. CIA Director Gina Haspel also threatened to quit over the move.  

Patel played roles in both sequences of events that led to special counsel Jack Smith’s criminal charges against Trump.

The Justice Department granted him limited immunity to testify in the case involving Trump’s decision to amass classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving office.

And he testified to both the Jan. 6 committee and federal prosecutors about Trump’s discussions about deploying the National Guard in advance of the violence on Jan. 6, 2021.

And Patel was a witness in Trump’s defense at a Colorado trial over that determined Trump helped spark an insurrection on Jan. 6. Though the trial was an effort by some Trump adversaries to remove Trump from the ballot under the Constitution’s Insurrection Clause, the Supreme Court ultimately reversed the decision.

Patel is a former federal public defender and former federal prosecutor in the Justice Department’s national security division. A staunch Trump defender, Patel has been assisting the president-elect in compiling a list of candidates to join the Justice Department.

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Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) - Botev (Plovdiv) 0:1 in an efbet League match.

 

Botev is the new master of Plovdiv. This is the conclusion after the midday edition of the city derby of the 17th round of the efbet League. Dusan Kerkes' team took their tough visit to "Lauta" with their favorite result 1:0, and Ehije Ukaki played the role of hero, signing 11 minutes before the final whistle.

The emblematic match for native football did not offer many interesting moments, and if it wasn't for the momentary "outburst" of the guests, the derby would have been calmly on its way to a fifth draw in a row.

The three points left Botev in second place in the provisional standings, now just four behind leaders Ludogorets, who are yet to play Slavia. The crisis in Loko (SW) is total and the team has slipped to only 13th position.

Botev had a slight initiative after Radoslav Gidzenov's first whistle. In the 180th second, Ivelin Popov turned the ball well from a foul, but Antoine Conte, who came on from deep, was unable to make a header.

The hosts had serious claims to the head referee Radoslav Gidjenov, after Antoine Conte stepped firmly into Oliver Camdem's feet in the penalty area in the eighth minute. Although after a discussion with VAR, the referee remained firm in his decision and did not point to the penalty spot. And the "smurfs" didn't like that at all.

Botev hinted that he was watching every inaccuracy of the opponent, as in the 12th minute only the adjudged ambush saved Loko from conceding a goal. Ehije Ukaki burst down the right flank, then very measuredly found Alen Koroshets. The Slovenian scored with just one touch of the ball, but he had no time to rejoice as he quickly saw the flag raised.

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Felipe Drugovich to participate in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Free Practice One and end-of-season test.

 

Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team Test and Reserve Driver Felipe Drugovich will take part in Free Practice One at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before driving for the team during the end-of-season test, joining Jak Crawford for the final day of running at Yas Marina Circuit.

Felipe will take the place of Lance Stroll for the hour-long session at Yas Marina Circuit before Lance returns to the AMR24 for FP2. The session marks Felipe's second FP1 outing of the 2024 season, following his successful run at the Mexico City Grand Prix. His participation aligns with the team's commitment to fulfilling the FIA's rookie driver requirements and furthering Felipe's development within the Aston Martin Aramco team.

Aston Martin Aramco can also confirm that Felipe will drive during the end-of-season test held at Yas Marina Circuit. The announcement finalises the team's testing line-up, with Felipe and Jak Crawford each behind the wheel of an AMR24 for the season's final day of running. 

Felipe Drugovich, Test and Reserve Driver, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said:

"I'm really excited to drive the AMR24 again, and this time at Yas Marina – a circuit that I know well from completing many testing laps there. It will be great to see how the car feels in a completely different environment compared to Mexico, and I'm looking forward to building on what I learned during my first FP1 session earlier this year. It will be great to get a feel for the 2025 Pirelli tyres that the Formula One cars will be running next year, too.

"Driving the AMR24 is always a fantastic opportunity, and I'm grateful to Aston Martin Aramco for trusting me with this second session as well as the end-of-season test. Also, a big thank you to Banco Master for their ongoing support."

Mike Krack, Team Principal, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said:

"We are delighted to offer Felipe further opportunities to drive the AMR24 during Free Practice One and the end-of-season test at Yas Marina. Felipe demonstrated his capabilities and provided valuable feedback during his outing in Mexico, and these sessions will give him a chance to continue building on the 8,200km of experience he already has behind the wheel of a Formula One car. Felipe's work during FP1 will contribute directly to our data gathering and decision-making for the rest of the weekend, and we know he will provide insightful and valuable feedback.

"It's great to have two young drivers behind the wheel of our cars for the end-of-season test, further demonstrating our commitment to their experience and development. Both Felipe and Jak spend significant time in our simulator at the AMR Technology Campus, and time on track is invaluable for correlation, ultimately enhancing their feedback."

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Barcelona’s creative ace might not start vs Las Palmas due to discomfort

 

Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga encounter against Las Palmas could see the return of multiple injured stars, including Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.

Both players appear to have recovered from their knocks and could make their return against the Canaries. Even Eric Garcia might start, especially with Inigo Martinez being a doubt for the clash.

But while coach Hansi Flick is set to bring back these stars, he might have to make do with the absence of another, in the form of Dani Olmo.

Olmo picks up discomfort ahead of Las Palmas tie

According to Diario SPORT, Olmo is feeling a little discomfort heading into the Las Palmas game.

It appears the former RB Leipzig playmaker did not train with the teammates at the same pace due to the discomfort and could thus be a doubt this weekend.

Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga encounter against Las Palmas could see the return of multiple injured stars, including Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.

Both players appear to have recovered from their knocks and could make their return against the Canaries. Even Eric Garcia might start, especially with Inigo Martinez being a doubt for the clash.

But while coach Hansi Flick is set to bring back these stars, he might have to make do with the absence of another, in the form of Dani Olmo.

Olmo picks up discomfort ahead of Las Palmas tie

According to Diario SPORT, Olmo is feeling a little discomfort heading into the Las Palmas game.

It appears the former RB Leipzig playmaker did not train with the teammates at the same pace due to the discomfort and could thus be a doubt this weekend.

Olmo might not start vs Las Palmas (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

However, Olmo is not completely ruled out of the Las Palmas tie. The report suggests the Spaniard might still make the squad, but he won’t be a part of the starting XI.

Who will replace Olmo?

With Olmo potentially starting on the bench, coach Hansi Flick is likely to opt for Pablo Torre in the creative midfield position.

The former Racing starlet has barely disappointed this season despite his limited game-time, notably racking up three goals and an assist.

Torre, therefore, deserves more action and the Las Palmas game, to that end, could be an ideal opportunity for the midfielder to prove himself further.

Flick, though, has no shortage of options, with Gavi, Fermin Lopez and even Ferran Torres competing for the same spot.

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MK Slatt Dead? Shocked Fans React as Slimeball MK Death Rumors Go Viral

 

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