News Roundup and Comment

Below is a selection of stories that were noted by Jim during the first quarter hour of the broadcast: --There's been a breakthrough in the tariff standoff between China and the U.S. as the U.S. Treasury Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative are poised to meet with Chinese officials in Switzerland over the weekend.--President Trump believes an 80% tariff seems right, setting a potential guidepost ahead of the weekend talks in Switzerland.--President Trump's pick for U.S. ambassador to China was sworn in Wednesday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio just days before the anticipated trade meeting. Former Georgia Republican Senator David Perdue was tapped by Trump last December.--On May 8th President Trump provided a broad overview of a prospective trade agreement with the U.K.--Yesterday the first U.S. Pope was named: Pope Leo XIV (Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago).--The new Pope shared articles on social media in the past that appeared critical of President Trump.--The IDF on Tuesday released footage showing two senior Hamas operatives surrendering in Rafah, including a commander directly involved in the October 7th attacks and the holding of Israeli hostages.--Since the launch of Operation Iron Wall January 21st, Israeli forces have killed more than 100 terrorists and arrested approximately 320 wanted individuals and seized around 450 weapons in Judea and Samaria.--President Trump announced earlier this week that the Houthis would stop attacking vessels off Yemen's coast in exchange for the U.S. ending the military campaign against them.