World
How Donald Trump’s climate cuts will cost US taxpayers
On Donald Trump’s first day back in the White House on January 20, he signed several related executive orders that sparked radical climate policy and clean energy rollbacks. One order declared a “national energy emergency.” Another, titled “unleashing American energy,” blamed “burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations” for limiting “reliable and affordable electricity” created primarily from […]

On Donald Trump’s first day back in the White House on January 20, he signed several related executive orders that sparked radical climate policy and clean energy rollbacks.
One order declared a “national energy emergency.” Another, titled “unleashing American energy,” blamed “burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations” for limiting “reliable and affordable electricity” created primarily from oil, gas and coal.
As promised, Trump also targeted wind energy with an order that temporarily paused all offshore permits and federal leases.
Oil and gas production in the US, the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, actually peaked under the Joe Biden administration. Average electricity prices across nearly all US states were also lower and more stable in 2024 than the previous year, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
This was not only because of low natural gas prices but also cheaper renewable energy in the grid and new battery storage capacity, due in part to decreasing renewable technology costs.
Trump’s order also attacked green energy transition policies for limiting “job creation,” despite the US renewable energy sector employing around three times more workers than the traditional fossil energy industry.
Job growth in the clean power sector rose at more than twice the rate of the “strong” overall US labour market in 2023.
The year before, renewable energy technologies, including solar panels, wind turbines, hydropower and geothermal energy systems, already made up over 84% of net new electricity generation jobs.
‘A dagger through the heart of climate-change religion’
This month, the new head of the Environment Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, announced 31 regulatory and funding rollbacks related to climate and environment protection, and clean energy funding.
“We are living up to our promises to unleash American energy, lower costs for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry,” Zeldin said in a video posted on social media platform, X. “We are driving a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion,” he added.
In addition, he announced the termination of $20 billion (€18.3 billion) worth of clean power and climate grants issued by the outgoing Biden administration under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, also known as the “green bank.”
Zeldin highlighted “programmatic fraud, waste, and abuse” when announcing that the EPA had frozen the funding pending a review.
But on Tuesday, a US federal judge said the EPA’s “vague and unsubstantiated assertions of fraud are insufficient.”
On these grounds, the judge blocked the agency from terminating $14 billion dollars in green grants earmarked for three climate groups who had sued the EPA and Zeldin.
Tax dollars to pay massive climate damages. When Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement earlier this year, he sparked fears that the country’s failure to reduce emissions could severely hinder efforts to limit global heating.
This would also result in major costs for citizens in the US and beyond. A report by business advisors, the Boston Consulting Group predicts that if temperatures increase by 3 degrees Celsius by 2100 — double the 1.5-degree target set in Paris — such warming would “reduce cumulative economic output by 15% to 34%” by the end of the century.
In the last decade alone, climate-related extreme weather events have cost the global economy more than $2 trillion, according to a recent report by the International Chamber of Commerce.
The January Los Angeles wildfires that caused widespread destruction and have been linked to human-made climate change alone caused property and capital damages of up to $164 billion.
Boston Consulting note that the net cost of inaction could be as high as 27% of cumulative GDP globally, which is enough to otherwise eradicate extreme poverty around the world.
Climate rollbacks to spark job losses and economic decline
Corey Bradshaw, a professor of global ecology at Flinders University in South Australia, says the Trump administration claims that its climate cuts will improve economic prosperity are false. Disincentivizing the green manufacturing boom will only result in job losses and economic decline for American consumers, he said.
“Their cost of living will grow and their income opportunities will decline,” he told DW.
Two years after the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) triggered the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars into clean energy technologies, the sector has accounted for more than half of the total US private investment growth, according to a 2024 report by the Clean Investment Monitor (CIM) — which tracks public and private funding of climate technologies in the US.
The fastest growth was in manufacturing clean energy and transportation technology, which totalled $89 billion in the two years after the IRA was legislated — more than four times the $22 billion invested in the two years prior to the Biden administration’s flagship 2022 law to address climate change.
Republican states have been significant beneficiaries of this clean energy largesse. Nearly 60% of the projects announced since 2022 are in the party’s congressional districts.
Georgia alone gained over 43,000 green jobs and more than $30 billion in renewables investment since the passage of the IRA. More than 400,000 new clean energy jobs were created nationally.
By 2024, the US power grid had added more capacity from solar energy than from any other source in more than two decades.
Sylvia Levya Martinez, a solar analyst for US energy consultants Wood Mackenzie, which co-authored a report announcing the record solar uptake, warned that the boom could be quickly reversed, however.
“Last year’s record-level of installations was aided by several solar policies and credits within the Inflation Reduction Act that helped drive interest in the solar market,” she said in a statement. “If any of these policies were eliminated or significantly altered, it would be very detrimental to the industry’s continued growth.”
Trump’s climate revolt to be held up in the courts?
Meanwhile, David Bookbinder, director of law and policy at the Environmental Integrity Project, a pro-climate non-profit, believes that efforts to dismantle climate and environmental protection will be held up in the courts.
“The EPA cannot roll those regulations back without a lengthy process,” he said, noting that during the first Trump administration, the EPA lost most of its anti-climate court cases due to failure to follow procedural rules.
Corey Bradshaw cautions, however, that while Trump‘s attempted climate rollbacks are “illogical” and amount to support for “a dying fossil fuel industry,” any delay to urgent emission cuts will quickly “retard any climate gains.”
World
Trump Allegedly Urged El Salvador President to Accommodate U.S. Criminals: Are ‘Homegrowns’ Next?
In a recent Oval Office meeting, President Donald Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele tackled a surprising topic: the idea of sending U.S. criminals to El Salvador. The conversation also touched on a Maryland father, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador alongside Tren de Aragua prisoners due to a […]

In a recent Oval Office meeting, President Donald Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele tackled a surprising topic: the idea of sending U.S. criminals to El Salvador. The conversation also touched on a Maryland father, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador alongside Tren de Aragua prisoners due to a clerical error. Despite a Supreme Court order to bring Garcia back to the U.S., the issue seemed overshadowed during Monday’s talks, with Trump focusing on a bold proposal to relocate American prisoners abroad.
El Salvador’s Mega-Prison: A Model for Tough-on-Crime Policies
El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in Tecoluca took center stage in the discussion. Opened in January 2023, this high-security mega-prison is the largest in the Americas, capable of holding up to 40,000 inmates. Built under Bukele’s leadership, CECOT houses the country’s most notorious gang members and terrorists. With its imposing electric fences, 19 watchtowers, and over 1,000 armed guards, the fortress symbolizes Bukele’s tough-on-crime approach, which has slashed violence in a nation once dubbed the “murder capital of the world.”
A viral video circulating online captured Trump urging Bukele to expand facilities like CECOT to accommodate “homegrown” U.S. criminals. The former president doubled down during a joint press conference, leaving little room for doubt about his stance. “I’d like to go a step further,” Trump said, addressing Pam Bondi. “I don’t know what the laws are—we always have to obey the laws—but we also have homegrown criminals that push people into subways. I’d like to include them in the group of people to get them out of the country.”
This unexpected proposal has sparked debate about the feasibility and legality of sending American convicts overseas. As the conversation between Trump and Bukele gains traction, many are left wondering: could U.S. prisoners soon find themselves behind bars in El Salvador?
World
Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence Targeted in Arson Attack: What We Know
A shocking arson attack rocked the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg early Sunday, April 13, 2025, forcing the governor, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs, and another family member to evacuate.

A shocking arson attack rocked the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg early Sunday, April 13, 2025, forcing the governor, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs, and another family member to evacuate. The blaze, which caused significant damage to the historic 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style mansion, has left the community reeling and authorities scrambling to uncover the motive behind this targeted act of violence.
Suspect Arrested in Harrisburg Arson Case
Pennsylvania State Police arrested 38-year-old Harrisburg resident Cody Balmer in connection with the fire. According to officials, Balmer scaled a nearly 7-foot iron fence, evaded state troopers, and broke into the residence, where he allegedly set the fire using homemade incendiary devices. Balmer turned himself in on Sunday afternoon and now faces serious charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. An affidavit reveals Balmer expressed anger toward Governor Shapiro, even stating he would have attacked him with a hammer if they had crossed paths.
A Terrifying Wake-Up Call
The ordeal began around 2 a.m. when state troopers, part of the governor’s security detail, pounded on the family’s door to alert them to the flames. “We woke up to bangs on the door, and thanks to the quick actions of law enforcement, we got out safely,” Shapiro said during an emotional press conference. The fire, which started in a room often used for public events and art displays, left behind charred walls, destroyed furniture, and ash-covered floors. Photos released by the state show remnants of a Passover Seder the family had hosted just hours earlier, including a singed “Passover Crafts” sign.
Shapiro Vows Resilience Amid Tragedy
Governor Shapiro, a prominent Democrat elected in 2022, addressed the attack with a mix of gratitude and defiance. “This wasn’t just an attack on my family—it was an attack on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” he said, choking back tears. He expressed deep appreciation for the first responders who extinguished the blaze and for the outpouring of support from across the state and nation, including messages from Vice President JD Vance and Senator John Fetterman. Shapiro also reaffirmed his commitment to his Jewish faith, noting that the family would celebrate their second Passover Seder that evening. “No one will stop us from living our faith proudly,” he declared.
A Historic Residence Scarred
Built in 1968 along the Susquehanna River, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence has housed eight governors and serves as both a home and a cultural hub, showcasing art exhibits on its first floor. The fire caused extensive damage, with images revealing torched ceilings, blackened walls, and a devastated piano. Despite the destruction, Shapiro promised, “We’ll rebuild stronger than ever.” Authorities, including the FBI’s Philadelphia field office, are assisting with the investigation, and a security review is underway to prevent future incidents.
Questions Linger as Investigation Continues
While Balmer’s arrest marks a significant step, many questions remain unanswered. Officials have not yet determined a specific motive, though Shapiro described the attack as “targeted.” Balmer’s prior run-ins with the law, including a 2016 guilty plea for forgery and theft and a pending 2023 simple assault case, have raised concerns about his background. The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office has indicated that federal charges may also be filed.
A Call for Unity and Healing
In the wake of the attack, Shapiro called for an end to the rising tide of political violence. “This kind of violence is not okay—it’s becoming far too common, and it has to stop,” he urged. The incident comes amid heightened tensions, with elected officials across the country facing increasing threats. For now, the Shapiro family is safe, and the community is rallying around them, but the scars of this terrifying night will take time to heal.
This article is based on information from trusted sources and will be updated as new details emerge.
World
Northwest Austin Explosion: Multiple Homes Damaged, Several Injured in US Blast
On a quiet Sunday morning, a devastating explosion tore through a Northwest Austin neighborhood, leaving a trail of destruction and uncertainty. Around 11:25 a.m., a powerful blast at 10407 Double Spur Loop, near Spicewood Springs Road and US 183, leveled a two-story home and rattled houses for miles. The incident, described as an “unknown event” […]

On a quiet Sunday morning, a devastating explosion tore through a Northwest Austin neighborhood, leaving a trail of destruction and uncertainty. Around 11:25 a.m., a powerful blast at 10407 Double Spur Loop, near Spicewood Springs Road and US 183, leveled a two-story home and rattled houses for miles. The incident, described as an “unknown event” by the Austin Fire Department (AFD), has left residents shaken and emergency crews scrambling to piece together what happened.
Northwest Austin Blast Leaves Neighborhood in Shock
Firefighters arrived swiftly at the scene, rescuing one person trapped in the rubble of the collapsed home. The individual was quickly handed over to Austin-Travis County EMS for medical care, though details about their condition remain undisclosed. According to local reports, multiple people were injured in the blast, but authorities have yet to confirm the full extent of the injuries.
The explosion sent shockwaves through the community, with nearby homes suffering significant structural damage. Burned insulation littered the streets, and images shared online showed residents navigating piles of debris as emergency teams cordoned off the area for safety. Neighboring properties were evacuated as a precaution, leaving families displaced and anxious about what comes next.
“I was just sitting at home when everything started shaking—it felt like something crashed into my house,” one resident shared online. Another described the moment, saying, “Did anyone else in Northwest Austin feel that huge boom? It was terrifying.”
Witnesses reported hearing a deafening roar followed by thick smoke rising from the site. The blast was so intense that it was felt in nearby cities like Leander and Cedar Park, prompting local police to clarify that the incident occurred in Austin. “We know many of you heard and felt the loud explosion, but it`
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