The U.S. Treasury has paid $628 billion in net interest this year to service its borrowing, a figure that has risen due to increased debt and higher long-term interest rates. Despite this growing interest burden, the overall deficit for the fiscal year so far is $94 billion less than the previous year, partly due to a significant increase in revenue from tariffs. This tariff revenue, totaling $190 billion this year compared to $59 billion last year, is a substantial contributor to government income and is expected to remain a key revenue source. Projections by the Congressional Budget Office are influenced by factors such as productivity, labor force participation, and demographic trends, with a moderate but optimistic outlook on AI’s potential economic impact.
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The current geopolitical tightrope walk involving Iran and the persistent closure of the Strait of Hormuz is undeniably having a significant ripple effect on global oil prices. It’s quite striking how futures for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) seem stubbornly fixed in the high $90s, while Brent crude hovers between $100 and $110, with only fleeting exceptions.
Observing the spot market, it’s evident that prices have climbed considerably. Just a month ago, prices were around $140 a barrel, and while tracking precise real-time data can be a challenge, it’s reasonable to assume they’ve only escalated further. Yet, the futures markets appear to operate under the assumption that the current situation, particularly if a ceasefire holds, represents a stable equilibrium.… Continue reading
Seattle police are investigating a homicide after a 19-year-old woman was found stabbed to death in the laundry room of a University of Washington campus housing building late Sunday night. Despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are actively searching for a suspect, described as a Black man approximately 5’6″ or 5’7″ with a slim build, black hair, and a beard, last seen wearing a button-up shirt under a dark blue vest and blue jeans. The university has highlighted various support resources for students, faculty, and staff in light of the incident.
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A group of 36 medical professionals has issued a statement warning of President Donald Trump’s deteriorating cognitive health, asserting he is “mentally unfit” and must be removed from office urgently. Based on their observation of his public statements and behaviors, these experts, including neurologists and psychiatrists, believe his condition reflects a “rapidly worsening, reality-untethered, increasingly dangerous decline” evidenced by disorganized speech, factual confusions, and apparent impaired judgment. They are particularly concerned about his control over nuclear launch codes, calling for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to prevent potential harm.
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Google has reached a settlement with Black employees who alleged systemic racial disparities in hiring, pay, and advancement, stemming from a 2022 lawsuit. The suit, which gained class action status, claimed Google engaged in unfair treatment of Black workers, steering them into lower-paying jobs and creating a hostile work environment. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump stated the settlement holds the company accountable for discriminatory practices. While not admitting liability, Google’s settlement includes commitments to pay equity analyses, pay transparency, and limitations on mandatory arbitration.
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The United States is reportedly trying to broker a temporary ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, offering sanctions relief to Moscow in exchange for stalled diplomatic progress. However, this proposed framework alarms Kyiv as it reportedly lacks essential security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression, focusing instead on Russia’s territorial demands, including control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and international recognition of occupied territories. Despite the U.S. appearing willing to offer such guarantees in a final settlement, Ukraine fears Russia could use a pause in hostilities to regroup before robust security measures are in place, while Washington may increase pressure on Kyiv for a foreign policy breakthrough before upcoming elections.
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A Democratic strategy, suggested by The Downballot, proposed that the Virginia legislature and governor could lower the retirement age for Supreme Court judges, thereby removing them and allowing for new appointments. This new court could then rehear the redistricting case and potentially restore the invalidated map. However, Delegate Surovell has deemed this plan unworkable, citing the critical May 12 deadline for submitting new congressional maps to the state’s election system. This deadline, necessary for August primaries and mid-June early voting, would not allow sufficient time for the proposed legislative action and subsequent judicial proceedings.
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The NHS is reportedly set to grant “unlimited access” to identifiable patient data to staff from companies, including Palantir, involved in developing its federated data platform. This change, detailed in an internal briefing, would allow external engineers, such as those from Palantir and consultancy firms, to access the National Data Integration Tenant (NDIT) with an “admin” role. This marks a departure from current protocols, which require individual data access approvals for specific datasets. While the NHS maintains strict data management policies and security clearances for external personnel, the briefing acknowledges a potential “risk of loss of public confidence” regarding patient data safeguarding due to these enhanced permissions. Recommendations within the document suggest limiting the number and duration of these external admin roles.
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This article highlights the impact of a recently enacted law that extended tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations while significantly reducing funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts have led to millions losing food stamp benefits nationwide, with Arizona experiencing particularly drastic consequences. The state’s aggressive implementation of expanded work requirements and stricter documentation processes has made it harder for eligible individuals, including many children, to access vital food assistance, resulting in record demand at local food banks.
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In response to Democratic efforts to monitor election integrity, Donald Trump has announced an “Election Integrity Army” for the upcoming midterms and 2026 elections, aiming to counter alleged vote suppression. This initiative follows Trump’s history of spreading unsubstantiated election fraud theories and advocating for Republican-backed voting restrictions. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has established a task force to identify and mitigate Republican threats to election integrity, drawing criticism from Trump, who also attacked legal representatives involved in the Democratic effort.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood