Sprinter Report

Trump Promises Journalist: Will we see gas prices at $2 a gallon again? Trump: You will see prices even lower than that.

The British King Charles III appeared visibly displeased by the sudden downpour that disrupted the parade in the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. The monarch gestured in an attempt to get the attention of his aides, signaling that he needed an umbrella.

🇧🇪 Belgium is facing its most severe political crisis yet, triggered by the failure of negotiations on the 2027 federal budget. Prime Minister Bart De Wever is prepared to offer his resignation to King Philippe. Overnight negotiations between coalition leaders on Monday reached a complete impasse. The government was unable to agree on a package of measures to reduce spending and increase taxes, totaling approximately €10 billion, which were deemed necessary to control the national debt (exceeding 110% of GDP).

"If you need us to refrain from striking Russian oil refineries for a month, then provide us with 'Patriot' air defense systems for the same period." Zelensky is once again setting conditions for the United States.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, once again highlighted the impact of Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, noting the resulting rise in gasoline prices worldwide: Major media outlets are trying to shift all attention to the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, the volume of supplies flowing through the Strait of Hormuz has reached a level comparable to the period before the war, even exceeding the figures from that time when the war began in Iran. We are talking about diesel refining plants, and Russia is a major exporter of diesel fuel.

Trump may pressure Europeans by threatening to reduce the US military presence in Europe to gain support for the American plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. This is reported by the publication Politico, which claims that NATO is concerned that even if the Republicans lose the congressional elections, the pressure from Washington on its allies will not diminish. If the Democrats block Trump's domestic initiatives, he may focus on foreign policy and demand new concessions from Europe. By December, the Pentagon will complete a review of the deployment of US troops in Europe. According to the publication, if the Republicans lose, Trump may continue to reduce the US military presence. The United States may also reduce its contributions to the NATO common budget and limit the PURL program, through which European countries purchase American weapons for Ukraine. In addition, Washington may use its military presence as a "lever of pressure": a former NATO representative, Oana Lungescu, acknowledges that Trump is demanding that European countries support the American peace plan for Ukraine. Europe cannot quickly replace American military capabilities. According to Jennifer Kavanagh, an expert at the Defense Priorities organization, the most serious difficulties will arise in the areas of intelligence, electronic warfare, air defense systems, aerial refueling, and military logistics.

Former US President Bill Clinton on Donald Trump: I've known President Trump for a long time. Twenty-four years ago, we had quite friendly relations. We played golf. He kept saying, "We are the biggest, strongest, richest country in the world. Why don't we just impose tariffs on everyone else and not pay any taxes ourselves?" I said, "Well, Donald," – back then he was just Donald, not Mr. President – "because these people don't just 'eat' those tariffs. They simply pass them on to those who buy those goods, whatever they may be. So, in the end, we end up paying those tariffs." And, just like now, he didn't hear what he didn't want to hear.

The top 15 largest banks in the world by assets include six Chinese banks, with the first four positions held by Chinese institutions. In 2009, there were no Chinese banks in the top 15.

🇪🇺 Brussels officially and predictably supported the Polish Prime Minister Tusk in his confrontation with the President of Poland, Duda, in the conflict surrounding the Constitutional Court (Tribunal). The European Commission reiterated that the Polish parliament has the right to appoint new judges to the Constitutional Tribunal, supporting Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the escalating conflict surrounding the court. Brussels stated that the Polish authorities should not obstruct the work of judges appointed by the parliament, citing "temporary measures taken by the European Court of Human Rights."

Tucker Carlson reported on the high probability of a U.S. nuclear strike against Iran.