United States

Supporters of Californian independence have taken the first step towards secession from the US by submitting a ballot proposal to the state attorney general. A group called called the ‘Yes California Independence Campaign’  submitted their proposal for a ballot measure on removing a piece of the state’s Constitution that describes it as an “inseparable” part of America. The group has been around since 2014, but the idea of California’s secession gained momentum since President-elect Donald Trump’s victory.

• Record highs for Wall Street quartet send other stocks higher (Reuters)
• Oil prices rise to highest this month on hopes of OPEC deal (Reuters)
• OPEC Likely to Reach Output Consensus, Delegate Says (WSJ)
• Trump’s Targets in First 100 Days: Trade, Regulation, Corruption (BBG)
• Trump Poised to Push Nafta Changes, Pressure Mexico on Trade (WSJ)
• China Touts Its Own Trade Pact as U.S.-Backed One Withers (WSJ)
• Trump to kill trade deal on day one (Reuters)
• Overtime Pay Rule to Go Into Effect, but May Not Last (WSJ)

In his latest surprising tweet on Monday evening, Donald Trump revealed an unprecedented expression of support for Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage - whom he met after his election victory before any other EU leaders - to be made British ambassador to Washington, saying "many people would like to see Nigel Farage represent Great Britain as their Ambassador to the United States. He would do a great job!."

European and Asian stocks rose after the early scare from the latest Fukushima quake dissipated when all Tsunami warnings were cancelled. The global risk on mood was spurred by another jump in crude, which was up 1% in early trading, with the commodity complex now enjoying its biggest three-day rally since May, after Nigeria signaled optimism that OPEC will agree a supply-cut deal next week in Vienna. S&P futures are up 0.3%, with the cash index set to open at new record highs.

Submitted by Nan Li via Strategic-Culture.org,

After months of negotiation, the United States and South Korea announced on July 8 their decision to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in South Korea. During a press briefing, China’s Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said that Beijing is “firmly opposed to the proposed THAAD deployment… and will take necessary measures to maintain national strategic security as well as regional equilibrium”.

Why Is China Opposed to THAAD Deployment?