Fifteen-year-old Phoebe Beltran, a self-described “water baby,” was unexpectedly attacked by a sea lion while participating in a 1,000-yard swim test in California. The attack, which occurred mid-swim, left her with a startling and painful experience. Phoebe immediately felt a sharp pain in her right arm, and her initial thought was that she was being attacked by a shark, fearing for her life.
The sheer terror of the moment is palpable in her recounting of the event. Her immediate reaction was to scream for help, and thankfully, this scream proved crucial. The sea lion, upon hearing her cries, released its grip on her arm.… Continue reading
UAW members at the Stellantis Warren Stamping Plant will hold a strike authorization vote on May 6th. The vote concerns approximately 1,000 workers. A strike authorization vote does not automatically trigger a walkout, but grants union leadership the power to call one. The plant is located in Warren, Michigan, north of Detroit.
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Approximately 10,000 HHS employees were laid off as part of a restructuring effort, with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledging that roughly 20% of these cuts were erroneous. The reinstatement of wrongly terminated personnel, including those from the CDC’s Lead Poisoning Prevention and Surveillance Branch, is underway. This correction aligns with the DOGE task force’s initial plan to account for potential mistakes within the 80/20 cut model. The impacted programs and specific individuals targeted for reinstatement remain largely unclear, though some FDA employees have already been temporarily rehired.
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JPMorgan Chase has raised its global recession probability to 60%, citing the Trump administration’s new tariffs as a major contributing factor. This significant increase stems from a reassessment of U.S. trade policy, now deemed considerably less business-friendly than previously anticipated. The bank highlights the tariffs’ substantial impact, equating to the largest tax increase since 1968 and potentially exacerbating economic hardship through retaliatory measures and decreased business confidence. JPMorgan projects that the full implementation of these policies could trigger a U.S., and potentially global, recession in 2019.
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Sens. Grassley and Cantwell’s bipartisan bill seeks to increase congressional oversight of presidential tariffs. The legislation mandates congressional approval for tariffs lasting beyond 60 days. Further, it necessitates presidential notification to Congress within 48 hours of any tariff announcement. This measure aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the tariff-setting process. Senator Cantwell further elaborated on these points in an interview with José Díaz-Balart.
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A judge has ruled in favor of Drake’s request to access Kendrick Lamar’s recording contracts and Universal Music Group’s executive compensation data as part of his ongoing defamation lawsuit. Drake alleges that Lamar’s song, “Not Like Us,” which contained accusations of pedophilia, is defamatory and that Universal knowingly promoted the false claims. Universal had sought to halt the discovery process and dismiss the case, arguing the request was overly burdensome, but the judge rejected this motion. A hearing on Universal’s motion to dismiss the case is scheduled for June 30th.
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In a recent address, Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted Canada’s proactive approach to bolstering trade ties. The focus is on solidifying relationships with dependable international partners. This strategy aims to ensure economic stability and growth for Canada. Strengthening these key partnerships is viewed as crucial for the nation’s future prosperity.
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This strategy, advocated by Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer, prioritizes minimal engagement, betting on Trump’s self-destruction to restore Democratic power. However, this approach risks portraying the party as weak and ineffective, as evidenced by their concessions on crucial legislation and failure to meaningfully counter Trump’s actions. The resulting perception is one of powerlessness, undermining the party’s credibility and ability to regain public trust. Ultimately, this passive strategy may prove counterproductive, allowing Trump and his allies to consolidate power unchallenged.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz’s confirmation as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was approved by a 53-45 vote. He will oversee Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act programs for approximately half the US population amidst ongoing Congressional debates about Medicaid cuts. Oz has expressed support for work requirements for Medicaid recipients while advocating for improved healthcare access, particularly in rural areas, and the integration of technology. His appointment comes as other public health agencies face significant staff reductions, although CMS cuts will be less severe.
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Elon Musk’s platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is facing a potential fine exceeding $1 billion from European Union regulators. This significant penalty stems from alleged violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a crucial piece of legislation designed to combat the spread of illicit content and disinformation on online platforms. The DSA mandates stricter monitoring of content by social media companies, a requirement X allegedly failed to meet.
The looming fine, expected to be announced this summer, represents a significant escalation of tensions between the EU and the United States. It’s not just the financial penalty that’s noteworthy; the EU is also reportedly demanding substantial changes to X’s product and operations to bring it into compliance with the DSA.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker