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Ben and Jerry's co-founder held over Gaza protest

RTHK

15-05-2025

Business
RTHK

Ben and Jerry's co-founder held over Gaza protest

Ben and Jerry's co-founder held over Gaza protest Ben Cohen, left, and Ben and Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield at a climate rally outside the White House in November 2019. File photo: AFP Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and a longtime progressive activist, said he was speaking for millions of Americans outraged by the "slaughter" in Gaza after his removal from a US Senate hearing. Cohen, 74, was among a group of protesters who startled Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. by interrupting his testimony about his department's budget proposal. Shouting that "Congress pays for bombs to kill children in Gaza" while lawmakers move to slash Medicaid – the health insurance program for low-income families – the businessman and philanthropist was placed in handcuffs by Capitol Police. He urged senators to press Israel to let food reach "starving kids" as he was led away. "It got to a point where we had to do something," Cohen said in an interview after his release, calling it "scandalizing" that the US approved "US$20 billion worth of bombs" for Israel even as social programs are squeezed back home. "The majority of Americans hate what's going on, what our country is doing with our money and in our name," he said. US public opinion towards Israel has become increasingly unfavorable, especially among Democrats, according to a Pew Research Center Poll last month. Beyond the spending, Cohen framed the issue as a moral and "spiritual" breach. "Condoning and being complicit in the slaughter of tens of thousands of people strikes at the core of us as far as human beings and what our country stands for," he said, pointing to the fact that the United States pours roughly half its discretionary budget into war-related spending. "If you spent half of that money making lives better around the world, I think there'd be a whole lot less friction." Invoking a parenting analogy, he added: "You go to a three-year-old who goes around hitting people and you say 'Use your words.' There's issues between countries but you can work them out without killing." A longtime critic of Israeli policy, Cohen last year joined prominent Jewish figures in an open letter opposing the pro-Israel lobby Aipac. "I understand that I have a higher profile than most people and so I raise my voice, it gets heard," he said. "But I need you and others to understand that I speak for millions of people who feel the same way." Gaza is at "critical risk of famine," with the entire population facing a food crisis after more than two months of an Israeli aid blockade, and 22 percent facing a humanitarian "catastrophe," a UN-backed food security monitor warned this week. (AFP)

Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested during RFK hearing

CNN

15-05-2025

Politics
CNN

Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested during RFK hearing

Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested during RFK hearing Ben Cohen, the co-founder of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, was arrested by Capitol Police after protesting a congressional hearing featuring Secretary of the Department of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr, according to a law enforcement official. Several other protestors were arrested alongside Cohen, one of whom was charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, according to the law enforcement official. 00:51 - Source: CNN Vertical Politics of the Day 11 videos Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested during RFK hearing Ben Cohen, the co-founder of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, was arrested by Capitol Police after protesting a congressional hearing featuring Secretary of the Department of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr, according to a law enforcement official. Several other protestors were arrested alongside Cohen, one of whom was charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, according to the law enforcement official. 00:51 - Source: CNN Qatari PM defends offering plane to President Trump In an interview with CNN's Becky Anderson, Qatari Prime Minister and minister of foreign affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani downplayed the significance of the luxury jet gifted to President Donald Trump, saying it was a "very simple government to government dealing." 01:07 - Source: CNN Lawmaker asks RFK Jr. if he'd vaccinate his kids Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) asks HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. if he'd vaccinate his children for measles, chickenpox and polio at a hearing. 01:21 - Source: CNN See how Trump is being welcomed in Middle East CNN's Betsy Klein breaks down the details of President Donald Trump's lavish tour of the Middle East. 00:59 - Source: CNN Trump meets Syria's new leader In a historic meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Trump met with Syrian jihadist-turned-president Ahmed al-Sharaa and announced plans to lift sanctions on Syria. CNN's Becky Anderson breaks down who the Syrian leader is and why this meeting was so significant. 01:27 - Source: CNN New book reveals 'shocking' claim that Biden didn't recognize Clooney President Joe Biden did not recognize George Clooney when he arrived for a record-breaking June 2024 fundraiser the movie star was co-hosting, according to a forthcoming book from CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson. 01:06 - Source: CNN Will Trump attend possible Putin-Zelensky meeting? President Donald Trump continued to express interest in traveling to Turkey for a possible high-stakes meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump is currently scheduled to be Doha and Abu Dhabi on Thursday. 01:06 - Source: CNN Syrians react after Trump says he plans to lift sanctions President Donald Trump announced he plans to lift sanctions on Syria during a speech in Saudi Arabia citing the fall of the Assad regime as grounds for the release of pressure on the country. Syrians spared little time before celebrating. 00:51 - Source: CNN Erin Burnett's whiteboard: The rising cost of your YETI bottle CNN's Erin Burnett uses her whiteboard to illustrate the rising cost of popular consumer goods like YETI products amidst President Donald Trump's ongoing negotiations with major global trade partners. 02:03 - Source: CNN Trans Master Sgt. grieves losing military career After a nearly two decade career in the military, Nick Wright says he will now be forced to discharge after the Supreme Court said that the Trump administration can begin immediately enforcing a ban on transgender service members in the military. 02:20 - Source: CNN Honig: Trump's birthright order 'doomed to fail' President Donald Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship are the most serious challenge to the 14th Amendment in a long time. CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig explains why he thinks the Supreme Court is unlikely to side with Trump. 01:08 - Source: CNN

CNN

15-05-2025

Politics
CNN

Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested during RFK hearing

Live updates: Trump visits Qatar after meeting with Syrian leader in Saudi Arabia

CNN

14-05-2025

Business
CNN

Live updates: Trump visits Qatar after meeting with Syrian leader in Saudi Arabia

Update: Date: 32 min ago Title: Ben and Jerry's co-founder arrested during RFK Jr hearing Content: Ben Cohen, the co-founder of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, was arrested by US Capitol Police after protesting a congressional hearing featuring Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr, according to a law enforcement official. Cohen, who has been arrested previously on Capitol Hill for his protests, was charged with crowding, obstructing and incommoding, the law enforcement official said. Several other protestors were arrested alongside Cohen, one of whom was charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, according to the law enforcement official. 'I told Congress they're killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and they're paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US,' Cohen wrote on social media alongside a video of his protest and immediate detainment. CNN has reached out to US Capitol Police for comment. Update: Date: 46 min ago Title: Qatari PM criticizes Israel for "bad signal" over Gaza ceasefire talks Content: The Qatari prime minister said Wednesday he does not expect to see progress soon from the negotiations his country is holding over a ceasefire in Gaza, criticizing Israel for sending a 'bad signal' by continuing to bomb the enclave while dispatching a delegation to the talks. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani told CNN's Becky Anderson that Qatar had seen the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander as a 'breakthrough that will help bring back the talks on track.' But he added: 'Unfortunately Israel's reaction to this was (bombing) the next day, while sending the delegation.' He accused Israel of 'basically sending the signal that (they) are not interested in negotiations.' 'Our teams are engaging with both parties. We hope to see some progress; I'm not sure if this progress will be something seen very soon with this continuing behavior,' he said. Israel sent a team to Doha to continue the discussions, which coincide with US President Donald Trump's visit to Qatar. But the Qatari prime minister added of the talks: 'If there is no willingness to behave in a meaningful negotiation, then how can we reach the solution?' 'At the end of the day the decision is in the hands of the parties,' he said. Update: Date: 1 hr 26 min ago Title: Trump not planning to go to Turkey for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks, White House officials say Content: President Donald Trump is not planning to travel to Turkey later this week to join Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks, two White House officials told CNN, a decision that closes the door to days of speculation that he could join Russian President Vladimir Putin at the negotiating table. The president had previously floated the possibility of scrapping his Middle East travel schedule — one his team meticulously crafted for weeks — and adding a stop to personally mediate peace talks in Turkey. Trump is currently scheduled to be in Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday. Update: Date: 55 min ago Title: Qatari PM says potential jet gift is "government-to-government transaction," but notes the offer remains under review Content: The Qatari prime minister and minister of foreign affairs insisted that the offer of a multimillion-dollar jet from the Qatari government for President Donald Trump to use as Air Force One is a 'government-to-government transaction,' rather than a personal gift to Trump, though it is still 'under review' by both parties. 'This is a very simple government-to-government dealing when Ministry of Defense and Department of Defense are still exchanging the possibility of transferring one of our 747-8 to be used as Air Force One and it's still under the legal review, so there's nothing really – I don't know what was, like, why it became, like, so big as a news that this is something, you know, considered in a very strange way,' Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said Wednesday in an interview with CNN's Becky Anderson. Al-Thani would not confirm if a Qatari official approached Trump with an offer to help, after Trump suggested it in an interview with Fox News. 'It is a government-to-government transaction,' Al-Thani said. 'It has nothing to do with personnel, whether it's on the US side or the Qatari side. It's Ministry of Defense and Department of Defense.' Al-Thani dismissed any controversy and said ultimately, if the United States needs something and it's legal, the Qataris will help. 'Nothing is changing our decision. At the end of the day, if there is something that the US need and it's completely legal and we can, we are able to help and to support the US, then we are not shying away,' he said. 'Even if there is something coming out of Qatar for the US it's coming out of love, it doesn't come out of an exchange of anything.' However, Al-Thani said 'of course' the offer would be withdrawn if the transaction were deemed illegal. 'We will not do anything illegal. If there was something illegal, there would be many ways to hide these kind of transactions when will not be visible for the public. This is a very clear exchange that's happening between two governments,' he said. 'I don't see any controversy in it.' Al-Thani shot down the idea that Qataris are trying to buy influence with the United States. 'Why would we buy an influence in the United States? If you look just in the last 10 years of the US-Qatar relationship, Qatar has been always there for the US, when it's needed, whether it's on the war against terror, whether it's in the evacuation of Afghanistan, whether it's on releasing hostages from different, different countries around the world,' Al-Thani said. Qatar is 'always stepping up to help and support the US because we believe that this friendship needs to be mutually beneficially for both countries,' Al-Thani continued. Update: Date: 1 hr 46 min ago Title: Qatari prime minister says lifting of US sanctions on Syria is the "right step moving forward" Content: Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told CNN Wednesday that the lifting of US sanctions on Syria is the 'right step moving forward.' 'So lifting the sanction, we believe it is the right step moving forward,' the prime minister told CNN's Becky Anderson in an interview immediately following the Qatar-hosted state dinner for the United States. 'What we decided to do is to start engaging with them, to start to see if they are saying and doing the right things, then we should support them. We should support the stability of Syria. We should support that Syria shouldn't fail, and shouldn't turn into a chaos.' President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to lift sanctions on Syria following the fall of the Assad regime last year, saying the move will 'give them a chance at greatness.' The removal of the sanctions is a significant win for the Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who seized power after the stunning defeat of the Assad regime in December. It is likely to be seen as a blow by the Israeli government, which escalated military and territorial advancements in Syria in the wake of the Assad collapse. Trump said in remarks to a Saudi investment forum in Riyadh that he made the decision after discussing with it Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Update: Date: 21 min ago Title: Trump says he doesn't want nuclear talks with Iran to take a 'violent course' Content: President Donald Trump said today that he doesn't want nuclear talks in Iran to take a 'violent course,' pushing for the Iranians to accept a deal. 'You're also working with us very closely, with respect to negotiating a deal with Iran, which is the far friendlier course that you would see,' Trump said at a state dinner in Doha, Qatar. 'I mean, two courses, there's only two courses. There aren't three or four or five, there's two. There's a friendly and a non-friendly, and non-friendly is a violent course, and I don't want that. I'll say it up front. I don't want that, but they have to get moving,' the president added. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani later told CNN's Becky Anderson that Trump and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, had a 'very good and very productive discussion' on the negotiations. The United States has been engaged in high-stakes nuclear talks with Iran for the past several weeks. US special envoy Steve Witkoff is in Qatar for the state visit, and has been heading the American side of the talks. Both the US and Iranian sides have agreed to further negotiations on a nuclear deal. Trump hasn't publicly engaged on specifics he's looking for, other than saying Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. This post has been updated with additional details. Update: Date: 18 min ago Title: Catch up on key moments from Trump's events Wednesday in the Middle East Content: US President Donald Trump has had an eventful Wednesday in the Middle East, starting the day in Saudi Arabia and ending it in Qatar. He's headed to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday for the final leg of his trip. Catch up on the key moments from the president's events Wednesday: Wrapping up his Saudi Arabia visit: Qatar visit: Trump's comments on the war in Ukraine: CNN's Becky Anderson explains below why Trump's meeting with the Syrian leader was significant: In a historic meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Trump met with Syrian jihadist-turned-president Ahmed al-Sharaa and announced plans to lift sanctions on Syria. CNN's Becky Anderson breaks down who the Syrian leader is and why this meeting was so significant. #cnn #trump Update: Date: 2 hr 51 min ago Title: House GOP hardliners revolt over Trump's "big, beautiful bill" and threaten to sink it Content: As President Donald Trump continues his Middle East trip, back in the US, several Republican hardliners said Wednesday afternoon they're staunchly opposed to the House's current version of the president's 'big, beautiful bill,' arguing that it doesn't go far enough to change Medicaid and reduce the deficit. This illustrates the challenge House Speaker Mike Johnson faces to bring together diametrically opposed factions of his conference to get a slim majority of votes. Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri told CNN's Manu Raju that he 'absolutely' has concerns about the bill increasing the deficit, responding 'probably not, no,' when asked if he could support the legislation without changes. Pressed by Raju on the strong opposition by Sen. Josh Hawley, also a Missouri Republican, to the Medicaid provisions in the bill, which he worried would impact benefits, Burlison pleaded for 'fiscal responsibility,' arguing the current system for allocating federal funds to states is 'reckless' and 'not sustainable.' Rep. Chip Roy of Texas predicted a 'significant number' of Republicans have 'very strong reservations' about the bill, saying he wants further changes to Medicaid and 'now they want to pile on some more SALT money,' referencing the Republicans from high tax states who want a compromise to the proposed cap on state and local tax deductions. 'So yeah, to say we have a gulf is an understatement,' he said, after predicting earlier off camera that 'we're a long ways away from having a product that I think has anywhere close to 218 votes.' Pressed by Raju on if leadership might lose the votes of less conservative members if they move on Roy's demands, he responded, 'we need to keep working through and have people go explain why they want to say they're reforming Medicaid when they're not,' making clear that the current proposed work requirements are unacceptable to him. Asked by Raju if he thinks the bill will pass the House, Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, who also wants to see more Medicaid changes, answered 'the final product? We'll see,' flatly saying 'no' when asked about the current version of the legislation. Update: Date: 3 hr 31 min ago Title: Lawmakers press Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy on mass cuts Content: House lawmakers repeatedly pressed US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy on canceled medical research and mass layoffs during a Wednesday hearing on Trump administration proposals that could lead to even broader cuts. Democrats on the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies subcommittee repeatedly asked the secretary to explain cuts this year to health care programs, medical research and staffing before discussing a 2026 budget that would shrink the health agencies further. Kennedy insisted he would spend the funds that Congress appropriated in the 2026 budget according to law. But Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee, including ranking member Steny Hoyer and health subcommittee ranking member Rosa DeLauro, were focused on the agency's spending this year, for budgets already authorized. 'We have to really keep a clear line here between a questionable proposal for '26 and what is going on right now against the legislation that we have passed and that has been signed into law,' DeLauro said. The administration's cancellation of National Institutes of Health grants amounted to $2.7 billion in eliminated research, much higher than previous estimates, according to a report issued by Democrats on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Tuesday. In a post on X on Tuesday, HHS called the report 'unequivocally false' and said it was politically motivated. Kennedy also told House lawmakers Wednesday that Americans should not take advice from him on vaccinations. Read more about the hearing here and watch portions of the hearing below: Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) asks HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. if he'd vaccinate his children for measles, chickenpox and polio at a hearing. #vaccines #rfkjr #congress Update: Date: 4 hr 14 min ago Title: US Secretary of State Rubio arrives in Turkey ahead of possible Ukraine-Russia talks Content: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Turkey on Wednesday amid middling expectations for Russia-Ukraine talks in the coming days. Rubio touched down in the coastal city of Antalya after traveling with President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabi and Qatar. The initial purpose of Rubio's trip – an informal meeting of the NATO foreign ministers – has been overshadowed by both the potential talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul as well as an expected engagement between Rubio and his Syrian counterpart. The discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine were intended to be at the highest levels, between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian president has said he would attend but would only meet with Putin. The Russian President has not agreed to attend, and it is unclear who the Russians would send in his absence. Trump said Tuesday that Rubio 'is going to be going there,' and on Wednesday floated the prospect that he too could attend. 'I don't know that he would be there if I'm not there,' Trump said of Putin. Trump also said Tuesday that Rubio would meet with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani – an engagement that comes after the US president met with the interim Syrian president and the US lifted sanctions on Syria. Update: Date: 4 hr 24 min ago Title: Trump will host Rose Garden ceremony to sign bill aimed at protecting victims of deepfake and revenge porn Content: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump plan to jointly celebrate on Monday the passage of the Take It Down Act — a first lady-supported bill aimed at protecting the victims of deepfake and revenge pornography. The Trumps will both make remarks at a Rose Garden signing ceremony, according to a White House official. More on the legislation: The bill boosts protections for victims who have had sexual images of them shared non-consensually, including content generated by artificial intelligence known as deepfake porn. It passed both chambers of Congress with bipartisan support. Melania Trump threw her support behind the effort, lobbying House lawmakers in April to pass the legislation. And the president referenced the bill during his address to a joint session of Congress, where the first lady hosted a teenage victim as one of her guests. Targets of AI-generated, non-consensual pornographic images have ranged from prominent women, such as Taylor Swift to Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to high school girls. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas introduced the bill and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, have supported the effort. According to Cruz's office, the bill 'would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated NCII (or 'deepfake pornography'), and require social media and similar websites to have in place procedures to remove such content upon notification from a victim.' Update: Date: 4 hr 43 min ago Title: Senate GOP leader expects changes to House version of Trump agenda bill after a warning it can't pass as is Content: Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he expects the Senate will make changes to the House version of the sweeping Trump agenda bill to ensure it can get the 51 votes it needs to pass in the Senate. The House is aiming to pass its version in a floor vote as soon as next week. Thune was responding to concerns from Sen. Ron Johnson, a fiscally conservative Republican from Wisconsin, who said the bill may not be able to pass in the Senate because its spending cuts are not deep enough and he and other senators would need to be satisfied on that point to support it. 'We'll see when they finally produce something over there,' Thune said, referring to the House. 'I know that the committees marked-up into the wee hours, and hopefully we'll get something that eventually we can use as a base here for the Senate to work on. I mean, I think we've assumed all along that the Senate would have its input on this.' Where things stand: House leaders are carefully crafting their 'one big beautiful bill' to balance the many competing factions in the House GOP conference. It could be even more difficult for the House to pass it again if the Senate makes substantial changes. Thune said his leadership team and key committee members had been working closely with House Speaker Mike Johnson and other House committee members to try to sync up in advance as much as possible. Update: Date: 4 hr 28 min ago Title: US Homeland Security secretary says requirements have been met to suspend habeas corpus Content: As Donald Trump continues to embark on his Middle East trip, during a congressional hearing Wednesday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that requirements had been met to suspend habeas corpus, a legal procedure that allows people to challenge their detention in court, adding that she was not, however, a constitutional lawyer. CNN reported Friday that Trump was personally involved in discussions over suspending habeas corpus and one of Trump's top aides, Stephen Miller, confirmed publicly Friday that the administration was 'actively looking at' suspending the procedure. 'This is something that's not in my purview to weigh in on. This is the president's prerogative to pursue,' Noem said Wednesday before the House Homeland Security Committee. 'He has not indicated to me that he will or will not be taking that action.' The Constitution only allows habeas corpus to be suspended when 'in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.' On Wednesday, Rep. Eli Crane, an Arizona Republican, asked Noem whether unlawful immigration into the US under President Joe Biden – which Noem has referred to as an invasion – was enough to meet the constitutional threshold to suspend habeas corpus. 'I'm not a constitutional lawyer but I believe it does,' Noem said. Update: Date: 6 hr 6 min ago Title: How Trump's embrace of the Syrian leader could impact the Middle East Content: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday had tea with a former jihadist who until recently had a $10 million US bounty on his head. Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, once known by his militant nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, met Trump in Riyadh six months after leading a swift campaign that toppled the half-a-century-old Assad regime, ejecting Iran-backed armed groups and declaring himself leader of the country. Al Sharaa was placed on the US Specially Designated Global Terrorist list in 2013 for heading al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, known as Al Nusra Front, and allegedly orchestrating suicide bombings across Syria. The Saudi-born former jihadist had spent years fighting US forces in Iraq before moving to Syria to lead an armed Islamist rebellion that ousted the brutal dictator Bashar al-Assad. The meeting, described by Syria as 'historic,' was the first between a US and Syrian president in 25 years, taking place during Trump Middle East tour, the first set of state visits of his second term. Both leaders were seen smiling in photos released by the White House and the Saudi foreign ministry. The Syrian foreign ministry said Trump committed to 'standing by Syria at this critical juncture.' A day earlier, Trump announced the removal of decades-old sanctions on Syria, a move that prompted a 40-second-long applause from the audience, including a standing ovation from the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Read more on Trump's embrace of Syria's leader here. Update: Date: 3 hr 58 min ago Title: Trump announces Boeing deal with Qatar worth billions Content: Qatar signed an agreement Wednesday to purchase jets from US manufacturer Boeing for Qatar Airways. The agreement was signed by both President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during Trump's visit to the Gulf Arab country. A White House fact sheet released later in the day said it was a $96 billion agreement to acquire up to 210 American-made Boeing planes, contradicting Trump who said the deal was worth $200 billion and included 160 jets, though 'So it's over $200 billion but 160 in terms of the Jets, that's fantastic,' Trump said. 'So that's a record, Kelly, then congratulations to Boeing,' he added, directing to his comments to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who was in the room. Boeing could certainly use the help: Orders last year effectively ground to a halt after a door plug blew off of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max at the beginning of 2024, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane. Even with a rebound in orders toward the end of 2024, Boeing's gross orders were just 569 for all of last year — down a stunning 60% from 2023. Also not helping Boeing was a massive strike in the fall. About 33,000 machinists hit the picket lines in September, and Boeing didn't restart production until early December. That sank Boeing's deliveries to just 348 planes last year, down 34% from 2023. So Trump's tariffs served as a gut-punch to a company already on the ropes. Boeing is America's top exporter, and tariffs threaten to make jets millions of dollars more expensive, particularly if foreign countries make good on their threats to retaliate with tariffs of their own. Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs also could jack up the cost of building planes, because Boeing sources parts and supplies from overseas. The Trump administration appears to be seeking Boeing order commitments as part of its negotiating strategy on trade. Last week, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in the Oval Office that, as part of a larger agreement on a trade framework, a British airline has agreed to purchase $10 billion worth of Boeing jets. Reuters later reported the airline was IAG, and it would order around 30 of the 787 widebody jets. Boeing's stock rose 1.7% Wednesday. Although investors are enthused, they're also aware that order commitments aren't final, and airlines at times have been known to cancel orders they've publicly announced. Other agreements signed in Qatar: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also signed agreements regarding defense, including a statement of intent on defense cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United States. Hegseth also signed offer and acceptance letters for MQ 9B aircrafts and FS-LIDS. Trump signed a joint declaration of cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United States of America. Kit Maher contributed to this report. Note: This post has been updated to reflect inconsistent numbers given by Trump and the White House. Update: Date: 8 hr 25 min ago Title: Arming the Gulf: Trump's Middle East trip and the American weapons trade Content: The White House announced Tuesday a $142 billion defense partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia, the first country Donald Trump visited on his first major international trip in his second term as president. Here's a look at the arms trade relationship between the United States and the Gulf states. Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf countries like Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates are in the top 15 largest importers of weapons globally, and a large proportion of their imports comes from the US. American companies, led by Lockheed Martin, are the largest producers of arms worldwide. Kathy Warden, CEO of Northrop Grumman, and Kelly Ortberg, CEO of Boeing, joined Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, alongside other American business leaders, at a lunch in Riyadh's Saudi Royal Court — according to a list provided by the White House. Trump, who is in Qatar on Wednesday, will visit the UAE on Thursday as the last stop of his international tour before heading back to Washington DC. Update: Date: 1 hr 38 min ago Title: Here's what has been on Trump's agenda in Saudi Arabia and Qatar today Content: President Donald Trump has had an eventful Wednesday already: he touched down in Doha, Qatar, after a round of meetings in Riyadh. He is expected to take part in a slate of events in Doha, including a signing ceremony and state dinner. Here's a look into Trump's schedule: Gulf Cooperation Council: Trump attended a Gulf Cooperation Council leaders' meeting earlier on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, where he lambasted his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, claimed the 2020 election was 'rigged,' and took aim at the White House press corps. Trump also had an informal meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa a day after the US president said he planned to lift sanctions on Syria Trip to Doha: The president departed Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the first stop on the first major international trip of his second term, and made his way to Doha, Qatar. Welcome ceremony: Trump was treated to displays of camels and red Cybertrucks as he arrived in Doha. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani greeted the president atop a red carpet. Signing ceremony: The president is scheduled to participate in bilateral meetings, a luncheon and a signing ceremony. State dinner: Trump will end his day by attending a state dinner at Lusail Palace in Doha, Qatar. Update: Date: 10 hr 15 min ago Title: Trump blasts Senate minority leader, who is seeking answers on Qatari jet Content: President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that there's 'something wrong' with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in response to the senator placing a blanket hold on all Justice Department political nominees. His remark comes as Schumer is seeking answers related to the Trump administration's plans to accept a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family to use as Air Force One. 'Something wrong with him, I don't know. I've known him a long time and there's something wrong. He's lost his confidence totally. And there's something wrong with him. I don't know what it is with Schumer,' Trump said during a gaggle on Air Force One as he travels to Doha, Qatar. A blanket hold does not mean the Senate is unable to confirm these nominees, but it does force the chamber's Republican majority to burn valuable floor time to overcome the hold. Only a simple majority vote is needed to overcome the hold. Schumer demanded the Justice Department's Foreign Agents Registration Act Unit 'disclose all activities by Qatari foreign agents inside the US that could benefit President Trump or the Trump Organization.' Update: Date: 10 hr 30 min ago Title: Trump welcomed to Qatar with red Cybertrucks and mounted camels Content: President Donald Trump received a second day of fanfare at his second destination of a four-day, three-stop Middle Eastern sojourn, treated to displays of camels and red Cybertrucks as he arrived in Doha, Qatar. A former reality television star, the president is keenly aware of the stagecraft of a presidential visit, and his Qatari hosts pulled out all the stops to welcome him. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani greeted the US president atop a red carpet. And Trump's motorcade was escorted through the streets of Doha by a cavalry of red Tesla Cybertrucks, a nod to the president's senior adviser, Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The motorcade was greeted at Amiri Diwan, the administrative offices of the emir, by dozens of mounted camels and Arabian horses. 'We appreciate those camels — I haven't seen camels like that in a long time,' Trump remarked. The emir and the president observed a performance of both countries' national anthems at a formal arrival ceremony. Seated in plush, gilded chairs at a tea ceremony, the emir lavished praise on his guest, saying he was 'extremely honored' and 'very happy' to have the president visit, noting that Trump is 'the first American president to officially to visit Qatar.' Qatar has emerged as a key mediator for a number of conflicts, including efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. 'I know that you're a man of peace. I know that you want to bring peace to this region. We all want to do so, and we hope that this time, we can do the right thing and bring peace here in the region,' the emir said. Trump returned the praise, calling the emir a friend. Update: Date: 7 hr 6 min ago Title: Trump does not dismiss secondary sanctions on Russia for Iran support and Ukraine tensions Content: President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he is 'always considering secondary sanctions' when asked aboard Air Force One whether he would sanction Russia for its support of Iran or its continued involvement in the war in Ukraine. 'Well again, I don't want to talk about it, but I'm always considering the secondary sanctions,' Trump said while en route to Qatar. 'I had the secondary sanctions on Iran and drove them into bankruptcy, and there would have been no October 7. There would have been no money for Hamas or Hezbollah or anybody else I've always had,' the US president added. 'As you know, I put secondary sanctions on Iran again, and hopefully they're going to make the right decision, because something's going to happen one way or the other.' Trump has said the United States would impose sanctions on Russia if it did not accept an extended ceasefire in its war with Ukraine, writing on social media after a phone call last week with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. However, Trump has voiced optimism about a potential meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin this Thursday for peace talks to end the war on Ukraine, the US president has even suggested he might attend as well. Update: Date: 8 hr 4 min ago Title: Trump has landed in Qatar Content: President Donald Trump arrived in Qatar on Wednesday, his second stop on a tour of the Middle East. Trump touched down at Hamad International Airport in Doha around 2 p.m. local time. A handful of F-15 fighter jets escorted Air Force One. Trump was greeted by the emir of Qatar and other top officials before boarding his motorcade. He just left Saudi Arabia and is scheduled to head to the UAE on Thursday. Update: Date: 1 hr 38 min ago Title: Trump praises interim Syrian president as he considers normalizing diplomatic relations Content: President Donald Trump praised interim Syria President Ahmed al-Sharaa after the two held a key meeting Wednesday in Riyadh. The comments come as the US is exploring the possibility of normalizing diplomatic relations with Syria. The US president told reporters aboard Air Force One that his meetings with Al-Sharaa went well, adding that he's 'great,' and a 'young, attractive, tough guy' with a 'strong past.' Trump said Al-Sharaa has 'a real shot' at holding Syria together. He suggested that the country will eventually join the Abraham Accords, one of the major directives the president offered during their meeting. Al-Sharaa said yes when asked about joining the pact eventually, Trump said. But the US president added: 'I think they have to get themselves straightened out' first. For background: Al-Sharaa previously founded a militant group known as Jabhat al-Nusra, or 'the Victory Front' in English, which pledged allegiance to al Qaeda. But in 2016, he broke away from the terror group, according to the US Center for Naval Analyses. Update: Date: 8 hr 17 min ago Title: Trump says Putin would "like me to be there" for potential peace talks in Turkey Content: President Donald Trump continued to express interest in traveling to Turkey for a possible high-stakes meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Wednesday that Putin would 'like me to be there' and it remains 'a possibility.' 'He'd like me to be there, and that's a possibility. That doesn't mean I wouldn't do it to save a lot of lives and come back,' Trump said in response to a question from CNN aboard Air Force One. He continued: 'I don't know that he would be there if I'm not there.' Asked about Putin's strategy and whether he still feels that the Russian leader is 'tapping him along,' as he suggested in a previous post to social media, Trump told reporters he would let them know in a few days. Putin has not yet agreed to personally attend talks in Turkey set for Thursday, despite proposing it himself. Zelensky has said he wouldn't hold talks with any Russian representative other than Putin himself. Trump also predicted there would be 'pretty good news' out of the talks. Trump previously mentioned the possibility of stopping in Turkey during his Middle East trip, saying, 'I was thinking about actually flying over there. There's a possibility of it, I guess, if I think things can happen.' Trump is currently scheduled to be Doha and Abu Dhabi on Thursday. CNN's Kaitlan Collins has more reporting: President Donald Trump continued to express interest in traveling to Turkey for a possible high-stakes meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump is currently scheduled to be Doha and Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Update: Date: 12 hr 4 min ago Title: Trump isn't visiting Israel on his Middle East trip — and there's been little public mention of the Gaza war Content: On the first major international trip of his second term, President Donald Trump has traveled to Saudi Arabia, is now en route to Qatar and will then go to the United Arab Emirates. But he won't visit a key US ally: Israel. And public discussion on the war in Gaza has been notably absent. Trump discussed trade with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and lifted sanctions on Syria after meeting interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, but outwardly the war in Gaza was not a key talking point. Deadly strikes overnight: At least 56 people were killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza overnight, according to the enclave's health ministry — the majority of them women and children from the Jabalya refugee camp, a nurse at the Indonesian Hospital told CNN. The Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for the area late Tuesday night after three rockets were fired at southern Israel. Trump has been clear he wants an end to the war and CNN reported Monday that Israeli officials tried to inquire about the possibility of a stop in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv during his trip. However, a source told CNN that without a ceasefire or a 'result' for Trump, he's not going to visit the country. CNN's Oren Liebermann and Jeremy Diamond contributed reporting. Update: Date: 12 hr 17 min ago Title: Syria says Trump committed to supporting the country at "critical juncture" Content: Syria hailed the meeting between President Ahmad al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump as 'historic' and said the American leader 'affirmed his country's commitment to standing by Syria at this critical juncture.' 'During the meeting, the importance of lifting sanctions on Syria and supporting the recovery and reconstruction process was emphasized,' according to a statement from the Syrian foreign ministry. The meeting also addressed ways to 'enhance Syrian-American partnership in the field of counterterrorism and cooperation in eliminating the influence of non-state actors and non-Syrian armed groups that hinder stability, including ISIS and other threats,' the statement added. Sharaa and Trump were joined in person by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined by phone, the statement said. Meetings between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Syrian foreign minister will follow, according to the statement. Remember: An armed rebel alliance — led by Ahmad al-Sharaa's militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham — charged across Syria over 11 days late last year, leading to the toppling of Bashar al-Assad's brutal longtime regime. Update: Date: 12 hr 26 min ago Title: Trump is en route to Qatar Content: US President Donald Trump is en route to Doha, Qatar, as White House journalists reported that Air Force One is wheels up from Saudi Arabia. Recapping Trump's trip to Riyadh: Saudi Arabia was Trump's first stop on the first major international trip of his second term. In Riyadh, the president received a welcome fit for a king — a royal-purple-carpeted arrival ceremony with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a 21-gun salute, and a motorcade flanked by Arabian horses, among other details sure to impress Trump, who is finely attuned to the stagecraft of a presidential visit. He lavished praise on the crown prince and highlighted a number of Saudi investments in US business, joined by top CEOs at a Tuesday lunch representing some of the biggest tech companies. And in turn, the US and Saudi Arabia governments further cemented ties with cooperation agreements on a number of areas, including defense and energy. But it was a keystone speech Tuesday evening at a Saudi investment forum that made headlines as Trump unexpectedly announced plans to drop punishing sanctions on Syria. On Wednesday, he met with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and said he was 'exploring normalizing relations' with the country, offering a list of directives, including joining the Abraham Accords to normalize ties with Israel. Trump joined the Gulf Cooperation Council after that meeting, where he lambasted his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, claimed the 2020 election was 'rigged,' and took aim at the White House press corps — a striking display in front of a group of regional leaders. Trump is now headed to Doha, Qatar. Update: Date: 13 hr 1 min ago Title: Trump touts US tech to power post-oil future Content: Joining President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia were dozens of CEOs from America's biggest companies, including Big Tech giants such as Elon Musk, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Nvidia's Jensen Huang and IBM's Arvind Krishna. The executives offered some of the most coveted must-haves of the global economy: artificial intelligence chips that will power the Middle East's biggest tech infrastructure projects, seen as crucial to securing the region's post-oil future. Some background: Although Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil exporter, the kingdom and neighboring countries are using money from energy sales to diversify their economies. Saudi Arabia has announced that initiatives dubbed 'giga-projects' are key to the country's Vision 2030 plan, which aims to modernize the country and wean its economy off oil. The deals struck highlight the importance of America's AI offerings as a key bargaining chip for Trump. Days before the president's trip, the Trump administration announced plans to rescind a set of Biden-era curbs meant to keep AI chips out of the hands of foreign adversaries, which would have affected their sale to countries in the region. Here are some of the deals announced: Read the full story. Update: Date: 13 hr 16 min ago Title: 'We are practically seeing a Trump doctrine in the making,' Middle East expert says Content: US President Donald Trump's remarks in Saudi Arabia are a 'major shift in US foreign policy' not seen in decades, a Middle East expert said. 'We are practically seeing a Trump doctrine in the making,' Bader Al-Saif, an associate fellow at the Chatham House think tank in London, told CNN's Becky Anderson. He noted that Trump's statements echo what Gulf Arab states want, which is that 'we can control our region from within and that we need to be listened to.' 'We haven't seen the US deliver such unconventional policy making in decades, and this is the type of activity we relate to in the Gulf,' he said. Speaking at the Saudi-US investment forum on Tuesday, Trump said that the new generation of Gulf leaders are 'transcending the ancient conflicts of tired divisions of the past and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce not chaos, where it exports technology not terrorism… Not bombing each other out of existence.' Al-Saif said that the 'anti-war component' that came through Trump's speeches in Riyadh 'was a clear nod to what the Gulf is all about,' adding that Israel likely feels left behind. 'If I were Israel, I would feel a FOMO, a fear of missing out kind of feeling,' Al-Said said. Update: Date: 13 hr 2 min ago Title: Trump attacks Biden, claims 2020 election fraud and mocks press during meeting with Gulf counterparts Content: President Donald Trump lambasted his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, claimed the 2020 election was 'rigged,' and took aim at the White House press corps as he began a meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council on Wednesday – a striking display in front of a group of regional leaders. Trump slammed Biden's policy on Iran, telling his Gulf counterparts, 'The Biden administration created havoc and bedlam by basically being incompetent.' He later personally attacked the former president, saying, 'Biden didn't do anything because he never did anything about anything. He had no capability, had no ability, and it was a shame what he's done to so many countries, including our own.' Holding fire on domestic political opponents during overseas trips used to be a sacred norm for American presidents, but Trump has broken that precedent on many occasions. Trump went on to baselessly claim election fraud in 2020 as he heralded his initial Abraham Accords agreements. 'I believe we would have had it filled out, had the election been called fairly, which it wasn't. It was a rigged election. I hope that in the near future, we can continue that progress. We have a mandate from the American people, the likes of which people haven't seen for 129 years,' he said. And he mocked the free press, gesturing to pool reporters as he told his counterparts: 'The whole world is watching us. Look at all the news over there – the fake news. Look at them. That whole world, their whole world is talking about what you're – what you're doing.' Update: Date: 14 hr 5 min ago Title: US negotiators meet Israeli delegation for Gaza hostage-ceasefire talks in Doha, source says Content: A high-level Israeli delegation is meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US hostage envoy Adam Boehler in Doha, Qatar, a source with knowledge of the matter told CNN Wednesday. The delegation is engaging in ceasefire and hostage talks to end the war in Gaza, and Hamas is indirectly involved, the source said. Update: Date: 13 hr 14 min ago Title: Trump says he's "exploring normalizing relations" with Syria after key meeting Content: President Donald Trump said the US is 'exploring normalizing relations' with Syria following a significant meeting Wednesday with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. 'We are currently exploring normalizing relations with Syria's new government,' Trump said during remarks to the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, one day after he announced plans to lift punishing sanctions on Syria. During the meeting, according to a readout from the White House, Trump offered al-Sharaa a series of directives, including signing onto the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel, telling 'all foreign terrorists to leave Syria,' deporting 'Palestinian terrorists,' helping the United States to prevent the resurgence of ISIS, and assuming responsibility for ISIS detention centers in Northeast Syria. Al-Sharaa and Trump were joined by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who joined in person, and Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who joined by phone. Trump said Tuesday that both the crown prince and Erdogan were instrumental in his sanctions decision. Lifting Syria's sanctions, the president said, 'gives them a chance for greatness – the sanctions were really crippling, very powerful.' He continued: 'It's not going to be easy anyway. So, (it) gives them a good, strong chance, and it was my honor to do so.' The leaders also discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia's war in Ukraine, the readout said. Update: Date: 13 hr 14 min ago Title: Meeting between Trump and Syria's leader was "positive on all levels," source says Content: The meeting between Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump was 'extremely … positive on all levels,' a senior Saudi source with knowledge of the meeting told CNN. Update: Date: 12 hr 22 min ago Title: Who is the Syrian jihadist-turned-president that just met with Trump? Content: Six months ago, Ahmad al-Sharaa was a jihadist with a $10 million bounty on his head. Now he's just met with US President Donald Trump as Syria's president. Previously known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, Sharaa was an internationally sanctioned jihadist until he declared himself Syrian president this year. His group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led the ouster of former President Bashar al Assad in December. Since assuming power, Sharaa traded his military outfit for a suit and began a diplomatic offensive to rehabilitate his image and get sanctions on his country removed. HTS, which broke away from Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al Nusra Front, had been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations and the United States. The Syrian leader has been working to present Syria's new regime as friendly, inclusive and non-belligerent. In December, the US removed the long-standing $10 million bounty on Sharaa following a high-level US delegation visit to Damascus. Trump announced in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday that he plans to lift sanctions on Syria, which he said will 'give them a chance at greatness.' He said he made the decision after discussing the matter with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Syria's economy has been crippled for years by Western sanctions. Among the harshest is the US' 2019 Caesar Act, which imposed wide-ranging sanctions that restricted individuals, companies or governments from economic activities assisting Assad's war effort. The act rendered the entire economy untouchable. Update: Date: 14 hr 34 min ago Title: Trump's meeting with Syrian leader has ended Content: US President Donald Trump's meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh began at 10:07 a.m. and ended at 10:40 a.m. local time, according to the White House. The meeting came one day after Trump said he planned to lift sanctions on Syria following the fall of the Assad regime — a major change in US foreign policy. Update: Date: 15 hr 10 min ago Title: NOW: Trump's informal meeting with Syrian president is under way, sources say Content: An informal meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is currently under way in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a White House official and a senior Saudi source briefed on the matter told CNN. Update: Date: 15 hr 26 min ago Title: Watch how Syrians reacted after Trump said he would lift sanctions Content: President Donald Trump announced he plans to lift sanctions on Syria during a speech in Saudi Arabia, citing the fall of the Assad regime as grounds for the release of pressure on the country. Syrians spared little time before celebrating. Update: Date: 15 hr 48 min ago Title: Here's what happened in Riyadh yesterday during Trump's visit Content: On the first day of his Middle East trip, President Donald Trump sought to project himself as a consummate dealmaker and diplomat on the world stage. He outlined a lofty vision for peace and prosperity in the region, announced investment deals, and said the US would lift sanctions on Syria — a major change in foreign policy. Here are the other highlights:

It's Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day 2025! How to get free ice cream on Tuesday, April 8

USA Today

08-04-2025

General
USA Today

It's Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day 2025! How to get free ice cream on Tuesday, April 8

It's Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day 2025! How to get free ice cream on Tuesday, April 8 There is nothing better than free ice cream, am I right? We see that with other free cone days. And on Tuesday, April 8 2025, we get free ice cream thanks to Ben and Jerry's! That's right, friends it's ... FREE CONE DAY! Here's how to get one: First, make sure your Ben and Jerry's is participating in Free Cone Day. Then, go between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. and ask for a free cone, one per customer. Which flavors can you get? Whichever one you want! That's the beauty of Free Cone Day! That's all you need to know. Go enjoy some free ice cream on Tuesday! Here's the post from Ben and Jerry's: Enjoy!

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It's Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day 2025! How to get free ice cream on Tuesday, April 8

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