Trump’s Role as LIV Golf Host Renews Conflicts of Interest

Experts are Raising Conflict-of-Interest and Ethical concerns after Trump (R) Hosted a LIV Golf Event at His Virginia Property this Weekend, Renewing Scrutiny over whether the Trump Family is Financially Benefiting from His Time in Office, while Spporting a Golf League Backed by a Ggovernment Accused of Human Rights Abuses. For years, Trump’s Courses have Served as Both a Refuge and a Showcase for LIV, whose Chief Backer, Saudi Arabia’s Government, has been Accused of Human Rights Violations. The Saudi Government Announced last Month, that it will Stop Funding the League after the 2026 Season.

Critics have Accused Saudi Arabia of using the Golf League, in part to Divert Attention from its Human Rights Concerns, particularly following the 2018 Killing of Saudi Dissident Journalist Jamal Khashoggi. It comes as the Country’s Public Investment Fund has Invested Aggressively in Sports more Broadly, Signing High-Profile Stars to Increase the Global Prominence of its Soccer League and Leading a Consortium to Buy an English Soccer Team. Saudi Arabia also Signed a 10-year Deal with Formula 1 in 2021 to Host Annual Races.

Those Moves have led to Widespread Accusations of “SportsWashing”, a Concept that involves Nations using High-Profile Sporting Events to Project a Favorable Image of their Country. “Saudi Arabia is a murderous, authoritarian, anti-democratic region,” Kathleen Clark, a Law Professor in Government Ethics at Washington University in St. Louis, “(Trump’s) willingness to do this is actually a really nice example about what his priorities are.”

Trump, meanwhile, has Largely Shrugged Off the Saudi Government’s Alleged Human Rights Abuses in His Two Terms. During a Meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House last year, Trump Angrily Dismissed a Question about Khashoggi’s Murder, Claiming the jJurnalist was “extremely controversial” and insisting a Reporter raised the Subject to Embarrass the Crown Prince.

Trump then went on to insist Prince bin Salman, who the CIA Assessed likely Ordered the Murder, “knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that.” Saudi Arabian Government Officials have Repeatedly Denied these Accusations and Claim they had No Knowledge on the Journalist’s Death. The Saudi Foreign Ministry Released a Statement in 2021 saying the Country “completely rejects the negative, false and unacceptable assessment in the report pertaining to the Kingdom’s leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions.”

At the Meeting, which had All the Trappings of a State Visit, Trump Heaped Praise on the Crown Prince, including for what He called His “incredible” Record on Human Rights. Tournaments raise Conflict-of-Interest Questions. Trump, an Avid Golfer, has spent the Past Two Weekends Attending Professional Tour Events at Courses He Owns, including Last Week’s PGA Tour Stop in Doral, Florida, and this Weekend’s LIV Event in Sterling, Virginia.

Several Ethics Experts say they are Wary of Trump Hosting these Golf Tournaments at His Properties, because there is Little Transparency around how much Financial Compensation His Family is Obtaining. Trump's Assets are in a Trust Managed by His Children, and Trump has said He wouldn’t be Involved in Running His Business during His Time in Office. “President Trump’s assets are in a trust managed by his children,” White House Spokeswoman Anna Kelly (R) said in a Statement last year. “There are no conflicts of interest.”

One Expert said the Potential Conflicts go beyond Ggolf Tournaments. “This is just going to be the tip of the iceberg,” Richard Painter, a Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Minnesota Law School, told “And the message has been said all over the world that if you want to get along with the Trump administration, do business with the Trump family or with his golf courses or with his son.”

Trump has also Bbroken Norms with His Level of Engagement with Sports Leaders and Leagues on a Number of Issues. Earlier this year, He Signed an Executive Order aimed at Preventing any Football Games from Competing with the Annual Army-Navy Matchup, calling the Game One of the Country’s most Cherished Sporting Traditions. He also Signed an Executive Order aimed at Stemming Costs associated with the Onset of the Name, Imaged, and Likeness Payment System in College Sports.

Trump has also Developed a Friendship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who Last Year Awarded Trump, with the Inaugural FIFA Peace Prize after Trump’s Failed push to Win the Nobel Peace Prize. Meanwhile, the Questions from Ethics Experts will likely Resurface this Summer, Trump’s Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, will host a LIV Event in Early 8/2026.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Blocked Plutonium Deal with Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin said 5/9/2026 that the U.S., Israel, and Iran, had Agreed to Transfer Enriched Nuclear Material from Iran to Russia, but that the Arrangement ultimately Collapsed, after Washington Reversed its Position and Demanded the Material be sent only to the U.S.

Speaking during a lengthy Post–Victory Day Press Conference at the Kremlin, following Military Commemorations in Moscow, Putin described the Earlier Negotiations as a Missed Opportunity to Reduce Tensions in the Persian Gulf, and Revive Confidence in Diplomacy surrounding Iran’s Nuclear Program.

Addressing Questions about the current Standoff between Iran and the U.S,, Putin Revealed Details of the Recent Talks on the Plutonium. “We didn’t just propose it; we already did it once, in 2015,” Putin said. “Iran trusts us completely… and it has good reason to trust us, because, firstly, we’ve never violated any agreements.” He added that Russia had previously Accepted Nuclear Material Transfers connected to the International Agreement over Iran’s Atomic Activities.

“And initially, and this is sort of a secret, everyone agreed—representatives of the United States agreed, Iran agreed, Israel agreed,” Putin told the Press about more Recent Negotiations. According to Putin, the Deal Unraveled when “the United States hardened its position and demanded that the uranium be transported only to the United States.” He said that Shift prompted Iran to Change its Own stance and Refuse to move the Material Abroad.

Putin Recalled that former Iranian Official Ali Larijani later, informed Moscow that Tehran No Longer Supported Exporting the Enriched Uranium. Instead, Iran proposed “creating a joint venture, but on Iranian territory, and diluting the uranium together there.” The Russian President said Moscow remained Open to Compromise, telling Iran: “Go ahead, we’re not against it. The main thing is that this defuses the situation.”

But Putin Added that He believed “neither the United States nor Israel” would Accept the Revised Arrangement, Leading Negotiations into what He Called “a dead end.” But a Source in the Netanyahu Government told Newsmax that Israel Still Supports the Idea of Transferring Iran’s Plutonium to Russia, Subject to Provisions for Inspections.

Putin Argued that Russia’s Proposal would have provided Transparency and International Oversight through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He Emphasized that any Transferred Nuclear Material would be fully Mmonitored. “Everyone would see what it is, how much of it, and where it is,” Putin said. “Secondly, it would all be placed under IAEA control.” He also Stressed that the Dilution and Handling of the Uranium would remain under International Supervision, saying “the work of liquefying this uranium would also be organized under IAEA control and would be transparent and safe.”

Putin Defended Iran against Allegations that it was pursuing Nuclear Weapons, Stating that “the IAEA has never said that there’s evidence that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons,” while also Referencing Religious Decrees from Iranian Leadership against such Weapons Programs. Netanyahu says Iran War isn’t Over, because Nuclear Material Remains. Throughout the Remarks, Putin Portrayed Russia as a Neutral Intermediary Seeking to Lower Tensions in the Persian Gulf, rather than Gain Geopolitical Lleverage. “We simply want to make some small contribution, if it suits everyone, to defusing the situation,” He said.

Despite the Breakdown in Negotiations, Putin insisted that “compromises are possible” and said Moscow would Support “any solution that will break this deadlock and make it possible to move toward a peaceful resolution.” Putin’s Remarks came as Tensions remain High across the Persian Gulf Region, amid ongoing Disputes over Iran’s Nuclear Activities and Broader Instability in the Middle East.

Putin Warned that any Escalation would leave “everyone” Worse Off, and said there were “No longer any interested parties in continuing this standoff.” The Kremlin Press Conference followed Russia’s Annual Victory Day Celebrations, which this year were Scaled Back because of Security concerns connected to the War in Ukraine.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russia and Ukraine Deploys Reserves Taking Advantage of Ceasefire

Ukrainine and Russian Forces used a Declared Ceasefire Period, to Rotations and Logistics as Clashes continued, Ukrainian Officials said.

Viktor Trehubov said the Russian Army sought a Pause to Conduct Rotation, bring in Forces, and Restore Offensive Capabilities.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Reported, 51 Combat Engagements, with Pressure in Eastern and Southern Ukraine, including Pokrovsk and Huliaipole.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense Announced a 5/8–9/2026 Ceasefire, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Proposed Starting on 5/6/2026 and said Russia Violated it, prompting Reciprocal Actions on 5/7–8.2026.

On 5/8/2026, Trump (R) said a Three-Day Ceasefire would Occur on 5/9–112026.

Zelenskyy Confirmed this, Announced a Prisoner Swap, and Excluded Red Square as a Target on 5/9/2026.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Americans could Become Canadians Under New Immigration Law

Immigration Llawyers in the U/S. and Canada, are seeing a Surge in Canadian Citizenship Application interest, after Canada made it easier for Americans to become Citizens.

“People always threaten that they’re going to move to Canada. When they say it, they forget it’s a whole other country,” Marty Seed, the Founder of ATL Canadians, said.

Canada recently Amended its Citizenship Act. In a Statement, the Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta says: it Ensures “fairness and clarity in access to citizenship for those born or adopted abroad.”

Before, Canadian Citizenship could Only be Passed from Parent to Child. Now, under the New Law, Anyone born on or before 12/15/2025, with Proof that their Parent, Grandparent, Great-Grandparent, or even a more Distant Ancestor was Canadian, can now Claim Citizenship.

If you’re thinking of getting Citizenship and Moving, it’s Not as Easy as you think. You may want to talk to an Expert.

“It does get very confusing, especially if you have properties, if you’re on work visas, where your residency is, if you have money in bank accounts sitting — if you’re a resident somewhere, you’re supposed to claim worldwide income," said Tonya Rose, the Owner of Vice Versa Taxes, a Company that Specializes in Cross-Border Taxes.

If you do want to Move, Remember how Vast Canada is. “Investigate where to go, because Canada’s massive. Vancouver’s different from Montreal, Toronto, Nova Scotia,” Seed said.

If you Claim Canadian Citizenship, but don’t want to Move, there’s the ATL Canadians Expat Network. The Group brings People together and Hosts Events like the Atlanta Canada Fest. “The community aspect is fantastic,” Natalie Antoine, a Canadian living in Atlanta, said. ”Having other people here who just want to see you succeed, support, it’s like being at home.”










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Putin Believes War in Ukraine is Almost Over

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on 5/9/2026, He believes the Full-Scale War in Ukraine will be Over Soon.

"I think the (war in Ukraine) is coming to an end," He told Journalists at a Kremlin Press Conference following His Muted Victory Day Celebrations.

Putin Blamed Western Nations for Escalating War with Russia, claiming that a "globalist wing of Western elites is fighting against us through the hands of Ukrainians", a Claim that Ignores the Fact that it was Russia that Launched a Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In Putin's Description, it is the West, Not Russia, that got Bogged Down in Ukraine after Failing to Secure a Swift Victory.

"First of all, they were expecting a crushing defeat for Russia — as we know full well — and the collapse of its statehood within a matter of months," He said. "But then they got stuck in this rut, and now they simply cannot find a way out of it — that is the problem."

It's an Apt Summary of the State of the War, with One Small Adjustment: It is Russia that is Stuck in a Five-year-War, Suffering Enormous Troop Losses by the Day while Failing to Secure its Key Military Objectives. The Russian Leader also said He would be Willing to Meet President Volodymyr Zelensky in a Third Country, a Shift from His Usual Invitation to Host the Ukrainian President in Moscow.

Such a Meeting would Only be to Sign and Finalize an Agreement, Not to Continue Negotiations, Putin Clarified.

Earlier in the Day, Presidential Adviser Yuri Ushakov, once Again extended the Kremlin's Standing Invitation to Zelensky to Meet with Putin in the Russian Capital. Zelensky has Repeatedly said He is Willing to Meet with Putin in any City that is Not a Party to the Full-Scale War.

Putin also said He would Potentially be Willing to Meet with European Leaders to Negotiate an End to the War, particularly those Leaders Who had Not Disparaged Russia. His Remarks come Two Days after European Council President Antonio Costa, said EU Leaders had begun preparing their Own Talks with Putin.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Most Used Chemical in Short Supply

War in the Persian Gulf and New Chinese Export Restrictions have sent Sulfuric-Acid Prices Soaring and raised Concerns about the Availability of a Chemical that the World Relies on for Food, Metal, Paper, Computer Chips, and Clean Water. Sulfuric Acid is the most Consumed Chemical on the Planet, produced by Smelting and Refining Nonferrous Metals, such as Copper and Nickel, or by Burning Sulfur, a Byproduct of Oil-and-Gas Processing.

The Acid can Burn a Hole in a Steel Shelf at the Hardware Store, where it is Sold by the Bottle as Extra-Strength Drain Opener. But it is more prevalently used Higher Up the Supply Chain by Heavy Industry to make a Ubiquitous Array of Products and Materials. Sulfuric Acid is used to Produce Phosphate Fertilizers, Leach Copper, and Other Metals from Rock, Pulp Wood, Pickle Steel, Tan Leather and Vvulcanize Rubber. Municipal Water Treatment depends on Sulfuric Acid, as do Battery and Semiconductor Makers. The Citric Acid that Adds Tang to Sugary Drinks and the Silica that gives Toothpaste its Grit are made with it, too.

Because Sulfuric Acid is Highly Corrosive, it is Difficult and Expensive to move around, said Kunal Sinha, who Previously Managed the Sulfuric-Acid Business at Mining Firm Glencore and is Now Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Metals-Processing Startup Valor. Users don’t usually Keep much Ssulfuric Acid on Hand because it Requires Careful Handling and Special Tanks for Storage, Sinha said. “There’s only weeks, maybe if you’re lucky a month, planned for in their pipeline and storage,” He said. “Supply-chain disruption, whether it’s a rail strike or the Strait of Hormuz being closed, is a problem.”

A Large Chunk of the World’s Sulfur comes from Persian Gulf Oil Refineries and Gas Plants and has been Choked Off at the Strait. In turn, the Threat to Fertilizer Markets and Food Supply has Prompted China, the World’s Bbiggest Sulfur Producer to Restrict Exports this Month, Boosting Prices, and further Straining Availability, said Freda Gordon, Director at Acuity Commodities, which Tracks Sulfur Markets.

“They are really worried about food security,” Gordon said. “They want to make sure the fertilizer prices are stable.” The Markets likely to be Hardest Hit by Chinese Export Ccontrols are Chile and Indonesia, said Sarah Marlow, Head of Fertilizer Pricing at Argus.

Sulfur Prices in Indonesia were already Climbing when the U.S. and Israel began Bombing Iran and have since Risen more than 80%, according to Argus. Metals Executives say Nickel Miners there, who get most of their Sulfur from the Middle East, have Started to Dial Bback Production of the Metal that is used to make Electric-Vehicle Batteries and Stainless Steel.

Sulfuric-Acid Prices in Top Copper-Producer Chile, have more than Doubled since the Fighting began. Chile Imports more Sulfuric Acid than any other Country and uses it to Leach Copper from Huge Heaps of Ore. Key Export Prices in the Middle East and China, have also Surged. Analysts and Industry Advocates are Waving Warning Flags on Wall Street and in Washington.

“It’s getting to that critical point where inventories are being drawn down and production of critical minerals and agricultural products like phosphate, are slowing down,” said Craig Jorgenson, CEO of industry Group the Sulphur Institute.

The U.S. is relatively Insulated. Much of the Demand that isn’t Met by Oil Refineries and Domestic Smelters comes from Canada and Mexico, and where Sulfur has been Stockpiled in Huge Pyramids Near the Alberta Oil Sands during Periods of Low Prices. Overseas Sulfur Shortages could still Hit the U.S. Economy, Particularly if Global Copper Production Declines and Prices Climb beyond Today’s Record Highs.

The Biggest Data Centers each Require Tens of Thousands of Metric Tons of Copper for All the Wires, Busbars, Circuit Boards, Transformers and other Electrical Components inside. Houses are Filled with Copper Pipe and Wire. Even before Electric Cars, the Typical American Automobile contained more than a Mile of Copper Wiring. Refiners on the U.S. Gulf Coast that Process Sulfur Heavy Sour Crudes, such as those from Canada and Venezuela, have a Byproduct as in Demand as their Main Products Gasoline, Diesel, and Jet Fuel.

Mining Magnate Robert Friedland’s Ivanhoe Mines recently Opened Africa’s Largest Copper Smelter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a Top Copper Producer that Relies on Middle Eastern Acid. Friedland said when Ivanhoe Mines Reported Quarterly Results. that the Kamoa-Kakula Smelter was Generating about $1 million a Day from Surging Sulfuric-Acid Sales. Building an Efficient Selter that Produces more Acid Cost More, Friedland said in an Interview: “Now we get the payback.”










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Starbucks Announces New Nashville Headquarters

Months after Seattle Mayor called for Boycott, it Cost the city $100M and 2,000 Jobs. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Publicly urged a Boycott of Starbucks at a Workers Rally, telling the Crowd, "I am not buying Starbucks, and you should not, too".

The Company announced it will Invest $100 million in a New Southeast Headquarters in Nashville.

As Starbucks Expands into Nashville, Questions are already surfacing for the roughly 3,000 Corporate Employees based in Seattle's SoDo Headquarters. (5)

The Company said it would offer Relocation Opportunities to some Seattle Staff, but the Announcement provided Few Details, beyond Plans to build a Workforce of up to 2,000 in Nashville, and Potentially Shift additional "teams and roles" over time.

For many, Starbucks remains Deeply tied to Seattle's Identity, from its Global Headquarters to the Original Pike Place Market location that draws Tourists year-round. But the Expansion comes as the Company recently Laid Off 69 Seattle-based Employees, including Baristas and Shift Supervisors, and announced Additional Store Closures in the City, raising Fresh Concerns about its Long-Term Footprint at Home.

While that uncertainty is Building in Seattle, Leaders in Tennessee are Embracing the Move as a Clear Economic Win.

Howard Schultz, Owner since 1987, lived in the same Public Housing, at a different time, as I was, in Brooklyn NY. We meet in Seattle where I was working from 1996 to 1999, and He invited me to His New York City Book Signing.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker