May 29, 2026
Politics, Graphs, and History
Good morning, everyone!
Over the weekend, be sure to stay up to date on my Notes page.
I think of the page as a museum wall, where you will find historical events, archival footage, and notable quotes.
I will see you there.
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Today, we will look at U.S. politics, geopolitics in Asia, and other news spanning the globe.
Let’s get to it.
United States
-The average U.S. gas price stood at $4.42 yesterday amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to AAA.
-Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose at an annual rate of 3.3% in April, according to data released by the Commerce Department yesterday.
-Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a press conference at the White House yesterday.
View it here:
-Administration officials are pushing the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to design a $250 bill that bears President Donald Trump’s portrait.
-More than 90% of Trump’s ambassador appointees are political supporters, representing a major break from past precedent, according to a new tally.
-Michigan Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate squared off in a debate yesterday.
View it here:
-Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has expanded his lead in the crowded California gubernatorial primary ahead of next month’s vote, according to a new poll.
-Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said yesterday that she would not be a candidate for president in 2028.
-Vermont Governor Phil Scott filed for reelection just before the deadline yesterday, saying that he did not come to the decision lightly.
Scott, a Republican first elected in 2016, is currently serving his fifth term. Vermont’s governor serves two-year terms and is not term-limited.
-In a new interview, former First Lady Jill Biden said she was “frightened” when watching her husband, former President Joe Biden, debate Trump in the summer of 2024, adding that she thought he was having a stroke.
View a clip of the interview here:
-On this day in 1736, Patrick Henry was born in Studley, Virginia.
In 1848, Wisconsin was admitted to the Union as the 30th state.
In 1917, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts.
In 1992, President George H. W. Bush met with former President Ronald Reagan at Reagan’s office in Los Angeles.
In 2004, the National World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C.
Other Links:
Judge refuses to block Trump order to limit mail voting. There’s no immediate effect on the midterms - AP
Trump says in defamation lawsuit Murdoch told him he would ‘handle’ WSJ story on Epstein ties - Reuters
Paxton win sparks GOP money panic - Politico
DOJ probe targets Hoffman nonprofit tied to Carroll case - Axios
‘Trump accounts’ app launches to manage $1,000 federal investment per child - The Washington Post
AARP officials urge Congress to act on Social Security - The Hill
S&P 500 and Nasdaq close at new records, lifted by tech rally - CNBC
Calling for ‘new approach,’ CBS News leader Bari Weiss replaces executive producer at ’60 Minutes’ - AP
Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explodes on launch pad in Florida - CBS
Africa
-The Democratic Republic of Congo said that its World Cup delegation is in compliance with U.S. Ebola protocols ahead of the games slated to begin next month.
As of yesterday, the country had reported nearly 1,000 suspected cases and over 230 deaths from the disease.
The United Nations has warned that the spread of the disease is outpacing containment efforts.
The epicenter of the latest outbreak of the disease is in the Congo’s Ituri province, which sits in the northeastern corner of Congo, bordering Uganda and South Sudan.
-South Africa’s parliament scheduled the first meeting of its impeachment committee for next Monday to probe allegations involving cash stolen from a sofa on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm in 2020.
-The South African Reserve Bank raised its benchmark interest rate yesterday amid soaring inflation related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
-A fire at a girls’ school in Kenya’s Rift Valley killed 16 students on Thursday.
-On this day in 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo was inaugurated as President of Nigeria, ending 15 years of military rule in the country.
Other Links:
Ghana welcomes Pope’s apology over Catholic Church’s role in slavery - BBC
Ethiopian leader Abiy’s party set to dominate elections despite insecurity - Reuters
Renewable energy is overtaking traditional power projects across Africa, industry leaders say - AP
South Africa seizes $61 Million drug haul at Zimbabwe border, three arrested - Africa News
Survivors of al-Fashir attack describe brutal escape from Sudan - Reuters
Americas and the Caribbean
-Lawmakers in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional amendment that would lower the country’s workweek to 40 hours from 44.
The measure is a central plank of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s reelection campaign.
Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term amid concerns over his age.
-In a speech in New York yesterday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for a “new partnership” with the United States.
View his full remarks here:
-Colombia will hold a presidential election on Sunday, with right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella locked in a dead heat with leftist ruling party candidate Ivan Cepeda.
If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held.
President Gustavo Petro, the country’s first leftist leader, is limited to one term.
Democracy tracker Freedom House acknowledges the country’s standing as “among the longest-standing democracies in Latin America,” while noting its “history of widespread violence and serious human rights abuses.”
-Clashes between rival armed groups in Colombia killed 52 guerrilla fighters yesterday.
-On this day in 2017, Manuel Noriega, Panama’s former dictator who was ousted by the United States in 1989, died at the age of 83 in Panama City.
Other Links:
After New Push by the Bolsonaros, U.S. Labels Brazilian Gangs as Terrorist Groups - The New York Times
Water shortages worsen across Cuba as oil supplies dwindle - AP
Canada and Germany make liquefied natural gas deal as Carney looks to diversify from US - AP
Guatemala’s president denies report of US deal on anti-drug trafficking strikes - AP
Trump review that could shutter Mexican consulates stokes worries - AP
Mexican governor says she’s “being persecuted” over case of 2 CIA agents killed in drug lab raid - CBS
Sheinbaum announces 21 billion-peso boost for Mexico’s pharmaceutical industry, with private-sector funding - Mexico News Daily
In Argentina, U.S. Tech Billionaire Peter Thiel Finds An Escape - The New York Times
Asia/Indo-Pacific
-U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will attend the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this week.
The forum, founded in 2002, is Asia’s largest annual security conference and brings together defense officials and security experts.
Addressing the gathering last year, Hegseth warned of China’s growing influence in the region while urging Washington’s allies to ramp up their defense spending. Speaking bluntly, Hegseth said, “There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real.”
In response, Beijing said that Hegseth had antagonized China and said he had added to regional tensions.
As it did last year, China announced this week that it would send a low-level delegation to the gathering.
Separately, this year’s conference comes amid regional concerns over Washington’s commitment to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. Earlier this month, President Trump said that he had discussed the self-governing island’s status with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing in “great detail.”
Shortly thereafter, Washington paused a $14 billion arms package to Taipei.
China regards the island as a renegade province and has pledged to bring it under its control by force if necessary. In recent months, the Chinese military has ramped up air and naval drills around the island amid an intensifying pressure campaign.
-The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan signed a military partnership with Russia.
-Myanmar’s junta leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing will travel to India this weekend for his first trip abroad since taking office last month.
-Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hosted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Tokyo for a state visit this week, upgrading their countries’ ties to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
On this day in 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first confirmed climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth.
Other Links:
Middle East tensions rattle Asia markets after fresh U.S. strikes in Iran - CNBC
A Chinese dissident is in South Korean custody after a perilous escape by rubber boat - AP
In China, German minister says economic relationship requires cooperation, competition - Reuters
Russia signs $16.5 billion deal to build first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan - Russia
Australia Sues 3M for $1.4 Billion Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ - The New York Times
Australian woman held in custody on charges of traveling to Syria to join Islamic State group - AP
Europe
-European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that she had discussed possible European Union membership with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that she reiterated the 27-member bloc’s “full support” of Kyiv in its battle against Russian forces.
The phone call between the two leaders came just before EU foreign ministers were set to meet in Brussels, where they discussed possible future talks with Moscow to end the war.
-Meanwhile, lawmakers in Ukraine ratified a $104 billion loan agreement with the EU.
-Zelenskyy hosted Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman Jim Hines in Kyiv yesterday.
-On this day in 1942, the German government ordered all Jews in Nazi-occupied Paris to wear an identifying yellow star, designating them for persecution.
Other Links:
Europe Is Starting to Think Putin Will Expand the War Beyond Ukraine - The Wall Street Journal
Zelenskyy says he’s pressing US for more Patriot missiles for Ukraine to counter Russian strikes - AP
Russian patriotic singer uses AI to have Kremlin’s opponents sing his chorus - Reuters
Americans who get Ebola will go to Europe for treatment, not U.S., officials say - NBC
Portugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave - BBC
Middle East
-A tentative deal between the United States and Iran was reached yesterday, but still needs approval from President Trump.
The agreement, according to press reports, would extend the ceasefire between the two countries while reopening the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Iran would begin talks with Washington aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear program.
One day earlier, Iran said it targeted a U.S. military base in Kuwait after Washington targeted an Iranian drone operation near the strategic waterway.
The military exchanges came after President Trump expressed disapproval over a reported compromise deal to end the months-long conflict.
He added that he felt no political pressure to finalize an agreement.
The war, which Trump authorized on February 28, will enter its fourth month on Monday.
-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that he had directed his military to take control of 70% of the Gaza Strip.
He noted that Israeli forces currently control 60% of the coastal enclave’s territory.
-On this day in 1996, Netanyahu was elected as prime minister of Israel in the country’s first direct election to the position, with his Likud party narrowly defeating incumbent Shimon Peres’ Labor Party.
Other Links:
Middle East still on edge ahead of talks in Washington - AP
US official denies claim US aircraft destroyed in Iran’s Bushehr - Reuters
Plans for the Gaza International Stabilization Force are in question as troop pledges stall - AP
Israel to Cut Ties With U.N. Chief Over Its Inclusion on Sexual Violence Blacklist - The New York Times
Oil prices settle in mixed direction on conflicting reports of US-Iran ceasefire deal - Reuters
That’s all for today. See you next week.
TGIF Jacob, hoping you have a good weekend and will reStack ASAP 💯👍
Have a blessèd week-end with your better half. 🫱🏻🫲🏽🗽⭐⚖️✍️
Do not know enough about things to say you do G-D's work, Jacob, but you do a lot of good.