Le Journal

Tiananmen Vigil Leaders Face Landmark Trial in Hong Kong In a pivotal trial, two pro-democracy activists who organized the annual vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown commenced legal proceedings in Hong Kong. They face charges under the China-imposed national security law, illustrating the ongoing erosion of Western-style civil liberties in the region.The defendants, Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan, have been charged with incitement to subversion. They stand accused of using unlawful means to promote state subversion, exposing the trial as a critical juncture in the struggle for free expression in the city.The high-profile case stretches over 75 days with intensive scrutiny from legal experts and human rights groups. As Hong Kong's democratic freedoms face unprecedented challenges, the global community watches closely.

Financial Markets Surge as Trump Drops Tariff Threats The financial markets experienced gains on Thursday following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to retract tariff threats and avoid a dispute over Greenland. Trump's declaration, 'I won't do that,' boosted investor confidence, causing Wall Street indexes to climb, with the S&P 500 achieving its largest increase in two months.In the currency markets, a strengthened dollar pushed the euro down and saw gold prices drop from their previous highs. Meanwhile, equity benchmarks in regions like Australia, Japan, and South Korea, surged with increased investor optimism. Trump's discussions with NATO on potential Greenland agreements, however, lacked specific details.The remarks alleviated concerns of a U.S.-NATO confrontation, affecting U.S. Treasury yields and the VIX index. Investors remain cautious, watching upcoming U.S. core PCE figures and earnings from companies like Intel and General Electric as markets anticipate future interest rate cuts.

Teen Pleads Guilty to 2022 North Carolina Mass Shooting: The Tragic Case of Austin Thompson An 18-year-old named Austin David Thompson admitted in court on Wednesday to a mass shooting that took place in North Carolina in 2022, resulting in five deaths, including his own brother and a police officer. This planned plea came just weeks before his court trial was set to commence.The charges against Thompson are severe. He pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including five first-degree murder charges, two attempted murder charges, and assaults on officers. The sentencing hearing is set for February, with no plea deal reached with prosecutors.Thompson, who was 15 during the incident, cannot receive the death penalty due to his age. His sentence could range from life without parole to eligibility after 25 years, owing to recent adjustments in state law for young offenders.

In reply to Lot 49. Im all for it then. Lesss goooo