Stock trading by members of Congress could be banned in a bipartisan push, and honestly, it’s about time. It’s the kind of move that seems like it should have been in place from the get-go. The idea is simple: prevent members of Congress, their spouses, dependent children, and any trusts they control from buying, selling, or owning stocks, commodities, or other financial instruments. New lawmakers would have a 90-day window to comply, while those already in office get 180 days to divest. It sounds straightforward, but as with anything involving legislation, the devil is in the details, like how to handle diversified funds, and the potential for loopholes.… Continue reading
Poland will close Russia’s consulate in Gdańsk, the last remaining Russian diplomatic post in the country, in response to suspected Russian-linked sabotage attacks. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski labeled the attacks on the Warsaw-Lublin railway, a critical route for aid to Ukraine, as “an act of state terrorism” and confirmed investigations into the events. Investigators have identified two Ukrainian nationals allegedly collaborating with Russian intelligence, who fled to Belarus after the incidents. Poland has warned for months that its role as a key transit hub for military aid to Ukraine makes it a prime target for covert Russian operations.
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This week’s political landscape is marked by several key developments. Texas Representative Castro criticized Governor Abbott, accusing him of corruption related to gerrymandering attempts. The ongoing controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein continues to generate discussion, with Symone Sanders-Townsend raising questions about Trump’s involvement. Additionally, legal and political battles continue as Trump seeks to dismiss charges in the federal election interference case and considers a Capitol visit amidst the House speakership fight, where Scalise and Jordan have announced their candidacies.
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The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has voiced its support for Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia could immediately end the conflict by withdrawing its troops. This backing follows reports of a US-crafted peace plan that reportedly pressures Kyiv to cede territory and weapons. A UK representative stated London shares Trump’s desire to end the war. This development comes amid reports of the US secretly working with Russia on a peace plan and efforts involving Qatar and Türkiye as mediators.
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In a shocking admission, former Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq confessed Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism, referencing the recent Red Fort metro station blast and the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. Haq’s statement, made in the PoK Assembly, claimed responsibility for attacks across India. This confession comes amid investigations into the Red Fort blast, where authorities seized a significant amount of explosives and linked the perpetrators to Pakistani terror groups. While the Pakistani federal government has distanced itself from Haq’s remarks, they are seen as confirmation of India’s claims of Pakistan’s support for terrorism.
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Due to the 43-day federal government shutdown, the Labor Department will not release a complete jobs report for October. The department was unable to calculate the unemployment rate and other key numbers because of the shutdown. However, it will release the number of jobs created in October alongside the full November jobs report, which is now scheduled for December 16th. The September jobs report, which will be released Friday, will likely receive extra attention as it is the last full measurement of hiring and unemployment that Federal Reserve policymakers will see before their meeting in December.
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In Fiscal Year 2025, Amtrak achieved record-breaking ridership and revenue, marking the second consecutive year of substantial growth. The company saw 34.5 million customer trips and $2.7 billion in adjusted ticket revenue, demonstrating strong demand for quality service and a focus on customer experience. Investments in infrastructure and fleet modernization, including the launch of new services like the Amtrak Mardi Gras and NextGen Acela, further contributed to the year’s success. These achievements set the stage for continued expansion, with a focus on achieving operational profitability by Fiscal Year 2028.
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A recent Fox News poll reveals widespread economic dissatisfaction among voters, with 76% viewing the economy negatively and increased costs for essential goods and services. Voters primarily blame Donald Trump for the current economic state, with his economic policies perceived as detrimental by a significant portion of the electorate, contributing to record-low approval ratings. While Republicans are favored on issues like border security, Democrats are seen as stronger on affordability and healthcare. Moreover, the poll indicates voter frustration with political leaders across the board, including Trump and members of Congress, suggesting a lack of trust in their representation.
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Vindman demands release of Trump-MBS call after Khashoggi murder: ‘You will be shocked’ – this is what we’re talking about, and it’s a topic that’s clearly stirring up a lot of feelings. The basic premise is that Alexander Vindman, a key figure in the Trump-Ukraine scandal, is calling for the release of the transcript and potentially the audio recording of the phone call between former President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) following the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He believes that the contents will be shocking, which is a pretty bold statement, considering the political climate and the things we’ve already witnessed.… Continue reading
President Donald Trump signed a bill requiring the Justice Department to release Jeffrey Epstein-related files, marking the end of a bipartisan push that initially faced resistance. Despite signing the bill, Trump continued to label the effort a “hoax” while also directing the Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s connections to Democrats. The legislation, which passed with overwhelming support in the House and unanimous consent in the Senate, mandates the release of unclassified records within 30 days, though redactions are permitted. This action has caused divisions within the Republican Party and among Trump supporters.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker