Roger W. Watson

SpaceX, the aerospace company led by Elon Musk, has put forward an ambitious proposal to turn its Starbase facility in Boca Chica Beach, Texas, into an officially chartered city. The company has submitted a petition urging local authorities to approve the move, which it says would support the continued growth of its business and workforce in the region. Starbase, located in the southernmost part of Texas near the Mexican border, serves as the hub for SpaceX's development and launch of Starship, the massive spacecraft designed for missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. The company said incorporating Starbase as a…

Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, has announced two major diplomatic appointments ahead of his inauguration. In a statement shared on his Truth Social account, Trump revealed that Lou Rinaldi has been named the next US ambassador to Uruguay, while Leah Francis Campos has been selected to serve as chief of mission in the Dominican Republic. “I am thrilled to announce Lou Rinaldi as the next United States Ambassador to Uruguay,” Trump wrote. “Lou, a successful entrepreneur and lifelong friend, brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to this important role.” Trump highlighted Rinaldi's connection to…

The UK economy unexpectedly contracted in October, exacerbating fears of a prolonged economic slowdown as businesses and households grapple with uncertainty. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.1% month-on-month, defying economists' expectations of a modest 0.1% increase. This contraction follows a similar 0.1% decline in September, marking the second consecutive month of negative growth and raising concerns about the country's economic trajectory. The ONS attributed October's decline to reduced output across all key sectors. However, on a three-month rolling basis, GDP showed a slight increase of 0.1% for the period ending in…

Chinese leaders reaffirmed their commitment to boosting the nation's economy by unveiling plans for more aggressive fiscal policy and moderate monetary easing at a high-level economic planning meeting that concluded Thursday. The meeting, led by President Xi Jinping, highlighted the government's determination to stabilize growth despite growing external pressures and domestic challenges. State-run CCTV reported the meeting after the mainland stock market closed. The iShares China Large Cap ETF (FXI) briefly rose 0.8% in premarket trading before paring gains. The annual economic conference highlighted the need for increased government spending, a higher fiscal deficit and the issuance of very long-term…

For decades, María Amparo Carvajal in Bolivia and Juana Ruiz in Colombia have dedicated their lives to defending human rights and supporting survivors of violence and oppression. Their tireless efforts were recognized this week when the US State Department awarded them the prestigious Human Rights Defender Award. Carvajal, originally from Spain, has been a central figure in Bolivia's human rights movement since 1971, the year Hugo Banzer took power in a coup. Banzer's regime, which lasted until 1978, was characterized by widespread human rights violations, motivating Carvajal to take action. In 1976 he founded the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights…

President-elect Donald Trump prepares to ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), marking the ceremonial start of the trading day. This symbolic event comes at a crucial time as markets weigh the implications of his 2024 election victory, according to people familiar with the matter. The event is expected to be a significant moment for Trump, a native New Yorker who spent much of his life in Manhattan before moving to Florida. His return to the city for this occasion underlines his connection to the financial world and his enduring association with Wall Street. Historically, the…

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed optimism about the growing collaboration between the United States, Japan and Australia as the three nations continue to strengthen their military capabilities. Speaking during a joint observation of the military exercises on Wednesday, Austin highlighted the importance of this enhanced cooperation in addressing rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Austin's visit to Japan underlined Washington's commitment to its alliances in the region and its dedication to maintaining stability. Observing the Yama Sakura 87 exercises at Japan's Asaka camp, just outside Tokyo, Austin stressed the critical importance of readiness. “Having the right equipment, ammunition and…