US & Global Economy

• The Puerto Rico Financial Services Forum Returns: Pioneering Trends in International Banking and Insurance Centers – Joplin Globe
• Report: FDIC Seeking Buyers for Republic First Bancorp – PYMNTS.com
• Standard Chartered Global Oil Demand Will Pick Up Strongly In May And June – OilPrice.com
• Providence man pleads guilty to string of bank robberies – WPRI.com
• Stock futures fall after Meta Platforms, IBM report quarterly results: Live updates – CNBC

White House

Trump expands US military footprint despite candidate Trump’s rhetoric

In his first year as commander in chief, Trump has largely discarded the non-interventionist campaign rhetoric, expanding the US military footprint around the world and demonstrating a willingness to use military force to confront even indirect threats to the US.

Clinton, not Trump, sought Russia help to influence election

Rep. Jim Jordan has emerged as a top defender of President Donald Trump as the Justice Department’s Russia investigation continues, leading some to wonder if the GOP insurgent known for causing heartburn to the party establishment has become a surrogate for the president.

Trump and the Russia investigation: What to know

THIS WEEK IN THE JERUSALEM REPORT: HOW THE SITUATION BETWEEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND OBAMA’S CAMP ARE FULFILLING JEREMIAH’S PROPHECY.

• Military aid worth $1B: Pentagon reveals details of new package for Ukraine – Ukrinform
• ‘Top-down scheme’: ‘Fake elector’ plot reached Trump White House, Weissmann says – MSNBC
• DoD Delegation Heads to Niger: Pentagon Press Secretary – Mirage News
• How Pecker’s testimony bolsters claims of Trump’s election-related scheme – Washington Post
• Trump, Meadows are unindicted co-conspirators in Michigan fake elector case, hearing reveals

Israel

• ‘Extreme force’ unleashed by Israeli forces as civilians flee homes – live – The Independent
• Pope Francis calls for peace in Ukraine, Gaza: ‘A negotiated peace is better than a war without end’ – AOL
• Middle East latest: Hamas releases hostage video; Hezbollah dismisses ‘worthless’ Israeli claims on commanders killed – Sky News
• Legalizing Israeli settlements in West Bank would be “dangerous and reckless,” US State …
• A look at the Gaza war protests that have emerged on US college campuses – The Associated Press

Read more news headlines from Israel

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Wars

• Union condemns crackdown on pro-Kurdish media in Turkey, Belgium – Bianet
• US court sentences Chinese citizen to prison for threatening person who promoted … – CNN
• Australia’s coming battles in the US–China tech war – East Asia Forum
• West Asia on the edge – The Statesman
• Getty Museum Agrees to Return Ancient Bronze Head to Turkey – The New York Times