Jobless claims rose to a three-month high of 242,000 last week, exceeding analysts’ predictions but remaining within the healthy range observed over the past three years. The four-week average also increased, reflecting a slight uptick in layoffs. This increase, however, is anticipated by some economists to be a gradual rise rather than a sudden surge, potentially linked to upcoming government-mandated workforce reductions. Despite this, the broader labor market remains robust, with low unemployment and continued job growth, though at a slower pace than in recent months.
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President Trump signed an executive order expanding Elon Musk’s “Doge” program, mandating a centralized system for tracking and justifying federal spending, subject to public transparency, and monitored by Musk’s team. Exemptions exist for national security and related agencies. This initiative is part of a broader White House effort to drastically reduce the federal workforce, with planned large-scale reductions across multiple agencies, including significant cuts at the EPA and potential job losses at other departments. Despite some initial setbacks, including a disputed interruption of Ebola prevention funding, the order also includes measures such as a government real estate offloading plan and a freeze on non-essential government credit card use.
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Rachel Waters, 41, has been indicted for malice murder in the death of her 74-year-old mother, Marsha Foster, who resided at an assisted living facility. Waters allegedly administered a lethal dose of morphine, found left behind by hospice workers, to her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, on July 12, 2023. An autopsy confirmed excessive morphine as the cause of death. Waters, Foster’s only biological child, is expected to surrender this week to face the charges.
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Recent Gallup and Washington Post/Ipsos polls reveal President Trump’s approval rating at a mere 45%, the lowest for a president in over 70 years. This significantly trails other presidents’ approval ratings at this point in their terms, including Bill Clinton’s 51%. Simultaneously, Elon Musk’s approval rating is even lower, at 34%, with widespread disapproval of his actions regarding government databases and program cuts. Over half of Americans believe Trump has overstepped his authority.
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Senator Fatima Payman’s comments praising Iran’s treatment of women, made during an interview with the Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, have drawn strong criticism. Payman clarified that her remarks reflected the positive experiences shared by Australian-Iranian women at an event she attended, and that she was unaware of Press TV’s affiliation with the Iranian regime. She apologized for the comments, acknowledging they failed to represent the realities of human rights abuses faced by many Iranian women. The incident prompted an apology also from NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison, who also participated in the event.
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In a press briefing, President Zelensky clarified that all US financial aid to Ukraine has been granted, not loaned, refuting claims of Ukrainian debt to the United States. This statement counters President Trump’s assertion that the US would recoup its investments and future earnings. A newly published agreement details a joint US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, funded in part by Ukrainian natural resource revenues. The agreement also commits both governments to achieving lasting peace in Ukraine.
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A measles outbreak in Texas, originating in a community with low vaccination rates, has claimed two lives—the first US measles deaths in nearly a decade. The outbreak, encompassing over 120 cases, primarily affects children and is linked to decreased vaccination rates below the threshold for herd immunity. The situation has prompted calls for increased vaccination efforts and concern over recent firings of CDC staff involved in outbreak response. Hospitalizations resulting from the outbreak have reached 20, highlighting the severe complications measles can cause.
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A Shariah court in Indonesia recently sentenced two men to up to 85 lashes each for engaging in homosexual acts. This harsh punishment highlights the stark reality of how religious law can be wielded to inflict severe physical pain and suffering. The sheer number of lashes—a potential death sentence in itself—speaks volumes about the severity and brutality of the ruling, triggering outrage and condemnation from many who see it as a violation of basic human rights.
The outrage extends beyond the immediate impact on the victims. Many commentators express disgust and incredulity at the idea that anyone would care so deeply about the private lives of others that they’d wish them physical harm, let alone inflict it through a state-sanctioned process.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood