Recent NYC Subway Burning Murder Highlights Safety Concerns

The horrific murder of Debrina Kawam, a New Jersey woman, on the New York City subway has reignited safety concerns for NYC residents and visitors. On December 22, 2024, a woman was fatally set on fire while sleeping on an F train in Brooklyn. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan migrant residing illegally, was charged with murder and arson.

The attack, along with other recent violent crimes, has heightened fears among riders despite increased security measures. Governor Hochul deployed additional National Guard members and installed cameras in subway cars, yet many New Yorkers remain skeptical about their safety on public transportation.

 

H-1B Visa Debate Exposes Division in Conservative Ranks

A heated debate over H-1B visas has emerged among conservatives, highlighting tensions between right-leaning tech industry advocates and "America First" supporters within President-elect Donald Trump's base. The controversy has been particularly visible on social media, where figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both Trump advisers, have faced backlash for supporting the visa program. Musk has emphasized what he calls a "permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent" in the U.S., while in an X post Ramaswamy criticized American culture for prioritizing mediocrity over excellence, suggesting a need for foreign tech talent.

This stance has sparked the ire of other osn the right,  many of whom view the H1-B program as undercutting wages of American citizens through. Opponents of the program have posted screenshots of H-1B jobs, many of which have listed salaries close to the American median or even below.

As this debate unfolds, it may pose a significant challenges for Trump as he navigates between the GOP’s newfound tech industry support and the expectations of his broader voter base.

 

Former US President Jimmy Carter dies at 100

Former US President James Early "Jimmy" Carter dies Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter, who had been in hospice care since February 2023, turned 100 in October of this year. 

Jimmy Carter, the 39th 
president of the United States,
died Sunday at 100

Carter was born on October 1, 1924 in Plains, Georgia, the eldest son of businessman James Earl Carter, Sr. and his wife Lilian. Graduating from Plains High School in 1941, he attended college at Georgia Southwestern College and Georgia Tech before being nominated to attend the US Naval Academy in 1943, graduating in 1946. During this time he fell in love with his future wife, Rosalynn Smith, and married her in 1946. 

Carter served as an active duty naval officer until 1953, focusing on the use of nuclear technology in the Navy. He moved back to Plains after the death of his father and became a successful agricultural businessman.

Carter turned to politics in the 1960s as a staunch opponent of segregation, first serving a s Sumter County school board member and then Georgia state senator. He first ran for governor in 1966, losing in the Democratic primary. He ran again in 1970, winning the primary and the general to become Georgia's 76th governor. During his term as governor, he focused on integration efforts, civil rights issues, and reforming government hiring practices. 

Prohibited from running for a second term under the term limits in place at the time, he announced presidential campaign in 1974. Running an energetic, ubiquitous primary campaign, he won the Democratic nomination, and benefitting from the fatigue of Watergate, narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the general.

His presidency, initially marked by optimism, faced major challenges, including high inflation combined with sluggish economic growth (stagflation), the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Iranian Islamist revolution resulting in the American embassy worker hostage crisis. He appointed Paul Volcker as Federal Reserve chairman, who is often credited for helping to end the high inflation of the era, though this relief came after Carter's presidency had ended.

Carter's achievements included the Camp David Accords that established relations between Israel and Egypt, signing the SALT II nuclear arms reduction treaty with the Soviet Union, and deregulating the airline industry.

Carter, facing low approval ratings, lost reelection in 1980 to former California Governor Ronald Reagan. Carter then started the longest post-presidency in American history, lasting nearly 44 years. He returned home to Plains, notably leading a Sunday School class at his church. Carter devoted his post-presidency to several causes, including disease eradication, building homes as part of Habitat for Humanity, and promoting democratic reforms in countries across the world. For his diplomatic and human rights work, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. 

Carter's Nobel Prize on display the Carter Presidential
Library and Museum in Atlanta, GA

Carter survived several health challenges, including metastatic melanoma in 2015 and a broken hip in 2019. 

In 2023, he decided to go into hospice care rather than continue receiving curative treatment for an unspecified disease. Rosalynn, who had been diagnosed earlier with dementia, died in 2023. Carter attended her funeral in his first public appearance since entering hospice.

In 2024, Carter celebrated his 100th birthday and supported Kamala Harris for president in the presidential race. 

Carter was the longest lived president in US history. 

Upon news of Carter's death, all living former presidents issued statements marking his passing, praising his attitude of public service and his productive post-presidency. President Joe Biden, an early endorser of Carter's 1976 campaign, praised Carter in a statement and said Carter will receive a state funeral. 

Assad Regime Faces Collapse as Rebels Take Damascus

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime faces rapid collapse as opposition forces have reportedly taken control of the country's capital Damascus. Assad's whereabouts are unknown, though a plane that was purportedly carrying the president appears to have crashed near the city of Homs. 

This latest offensive started late November following the ceasefire that had largely held since 2020. The swift fall of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, on November 29, 2024, caught many by surprise, especially with Assad's forces putting up little resistance. The main opposition force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and its allied factions capitalized on a weakened Syrian military. Rebel forces swiftly moved south, capturing Hama by December 5. By the 7th, they had entered Homs, effectively cutting off the regime's control over the crucial M5 highway that connects Damascus to the north.

Simultaneously, in the south, opposition groups, including those in the newly formed Southern Operations Room and Al-Jabal Brigade, took control of Daraa and Suwayda, further isolating Damascus. The speed of these offensives suggests a significant breakdown in Assad's military structure due to a combination of factors including low morale, economic collapse, and lack of support from key allies like Russia and Iran, who have been distracted by conflicts in Ukraine and Lebanon respectively.

Regime forces remain in control for now of the country's west coast, including Assad's stronghold of Latakia. This area hosts two Russian military bases, with reports that Russia has begun evacuations. 

How Did Assad's Regime Fall?

Since the Idlib ceasefire in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Assad's regime, has faced increasing economic challenges, with the Syrian pound losing value dramatically against the US dollar, exacerbating the already dire living conditions for millions of Syrians trying to recover from years of fierce fighting.

Despite occasional flare-ups, the frontlines were largely static until mid-2024. The Assad regime relied heavily on its allies Russian Iran, but both now face competing priorities: Russia with its ongoing war in Ukraine and Iran with its proxy conflicts, especially with Israel, which targeted Hezbollah, a key ally of Assad in Syria.

The widespread poverty and dissatisfaction with the Assad regime set the backdrop for the sudden rebel offensive in late November 2024, which exploited the weakened state of the regime's forces, leading to the capture of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and parts of the south in a matter of days.

This article was written with AI assistance.

 

x

Trump Rounds Out His Administration, Threatens New Tariffs

President-elect Donald Trump has largely filled major administration positions after his victory over Kamala Harris earlier this month.

Major picks include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, Army National Guard major and political commentator Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as treasury secretary, and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as attorney general (replacing the withdrawn nominee Matt Gaetz).

Susie Wiles, his co-campaign manager and daughter of sportscasting legend Paul Summerall, will become his chief of staff, the first woman to hold that position.

On the policy front, Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, intending to implement a 25% tariff on all goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, on top of existing tariffs. These sweeping measures would affect a wide range of products, potentially impacting automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer goods.

Trump has stated that these tariffs will remain in place until certain conditions are met. For Canada and Mexico, the tariffs would be lifted when the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States is controlled. For China, the country would need to halt the export of illegal drugs to the US before the additional tariff would be removed.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has visited Mar-a-Lago in an effort to begin talks with Trump prior to the tariff implementation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a more aggressive approach, threatening retaliatory tariffs and blaming American drug consumption for the opioid crisis.

 

GOP Achieves Narrow House Majority

Republicans have won 220 seats in the US House of Representatives, two more needed to win the majority. One California seat remains too close to call, with the Democratic challenger leading the GOP incumbent by nearly 200 votes as of November 30. A GOP victory in the seat would bring the Republicans to 221 seats, one less than their majority after the 2022 midterm elections.

While the Republican majority will be narrow and will make passing President-elect Trump’s agenda more difficult, it remains a welcome development for the GOP given most election prognosticators predicting a Democratic majority in the House. Republicans managed to offset losses in New York (partially through redistricting), California, and Oregon through picking up seats in North Carolina (largely through redistricting), Pennsylvania, Michigan, Alaska, and Colorado.

The narrow majority may make Speaker Mike Johnson’s political calculus more difficult given Trump’s poaching of Elise Stefanik, Michael Waltz, and Matt Gaetz (since withdrawn but not returning to House) for his administration. With the three resignations, the House majority becomes 220-213.

 

Syrian Rebels Enter Aleppo in First Major Offensive in Years

Syrian rebel forces captured parts of Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, in the first major offensive since 2020. Pro-government forces reportedly put up little substantive opposition as rebel forces advanced towards Aleppo.

Neither side has sought to make large scale advances since the 2020 ceasefire agreement. The Syrian government’s major allies, Iran (through their proxy Hezbollah) and Russia, have since been bogged down by their own conflicts in Lebanon and Ukraine respectively, creating an opening for rebel forces to begin a large scale offensive.

 

Trump Poised to Regain Presidency After Clinching 270 Votes

Former President Donald Trump is projected by Decision Desk HQ to win the 2024 presidential election, defeating his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris. As of 12:30 AM CST, Trump is projected to win Georgia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, giving him the 270 electoral votes needed to win. He is also leading in Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

Harris Campaign Co-Chair Cedric Richmond told the crowd at Harris's election night party at Howard University that Harris would not be addressing the crowd this night and for them to return home.

Trump meanwhile is heading towards his election night watch party in Palm Beach, Florida. He was previously at Mar-a-Lago watching election results.

Trump, Harris Making Closing Arguments Ahead of Nov. 5

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are making last minute appeals to get their supporters to the polls as election day approaches. Both candidates are effectively tied nationwide and in seven key swing states, though Trump has an advantage in the polling aggregate nationwide and in 5 of the 7 states, according to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate as of October 30th.

Both recently held what could be considered capstone rallies, with Trump holding his at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan and Harris at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. In both rallies, the candidates largely reiterated their familiar campaign talking points. Trump’s focused his on combatting illegal immigration along with his proposals to eliminate taxes on taxes on tips, overtime, and social security benefits. Harris focused hers on protecting abortion rights and fighting against what she sees as threats to democracy emanating from Trump’s actions and rhetoric, particularly after the 2020 election.

Betting markets as of October 30th place Trump as the slight favorite to win the election, with a Trump victory paying out approximately 65 cents to a Harris victory’s approximate 35 cents.

 

Southeast Reels from Hurricanes: Helene and Milton’s Devastation

The US Southeast continues to face significant challenges in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck in rapid succession in late September and early October. Hurricane Helene resulted in over 200 fatalities, marking it as the deadliest mainland US hurricane since Katrina. Hurricane Milton, while having a lower death toll at 35, virtually ties Helene for total damages, making the combined damages from both hurricanes estimated at just under $175 billion.

In response, the federal government has approved nearly $2 billion in aid for six affected states, and FEMA has deployed over 1,400 personnel to assist with recovery efforts. State governments have also mobilized National Guard units and established emergency hotlines to support residents.

As communities begin the arduous process of rebuilding, many residents remain without power or running water. Despite these hardships, there are stories of resilience and solidarity. In devastated western North Carolina, volunteers are using mules to deliver supplies to remote areas as restoration contractors work tirelessly to repair homes and businesses.

 

Japanese Ruling Party Loses Coalition Majority

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost its conservative coalition majority in the snap election this past weekend, losing ground to its center-left rival, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP). The LDP has dominated post-war Japanese politics and has been in power since 2009. Recent corruption scandals have tainted the party’s image, possibly contributing to this weekend’s defeat.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has said he will seek to integrate policy proposals from opposition parties in an attempt to retain power for the LDP, though opposition parties have so far ruled out a coalition with the LDP.

 

Hurricane Milton Intensifies, Threatens Florida's West Coast

Latest projected path of Milton from NOAA and
the National Weather Service

Hurricane Milton, currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico, is rapidly intensifying and poses a significant threat to Florida's west coast. The storm, which formed on Saturday, is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall midweek.

As of Sunday morning, Hurricane Milton was located more than 800 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane. The storm is moving eastward at 6 mph and is forecast to continue on this general path before turning northeast towards Florida.

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Milton could become a Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 140 mph as it approaches the Florida Peninsula. However, there is still uncertainty in the forecast, with some models suggesting the storm could reach Category 5 strength. The primary threats from Hurricane Milton include life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and torrential rainfall. Forecasters warn that certain areas could receive up to a foot of rain by Wednesday night, leading to potential flooding of waterways and streets. Storm surge and wind impacts are expected to begin as early as late Tuesday or Wednesday along Florida's west coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, many of which are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which struck the state less than two weeks ago. Mandatory evacuations are already in place in some parts of the state, and officials are urging residents to finalize their storm preparations immediately.

Residents in the potential path of Hurricane Milton are advised to have their hurricane preparedness plans ready and to heed any guidance from local officials. This includes stocking up on essential supplies, securing outdoor items, and being prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so. Some locations are already offering sandbags to residents.

The rapid intensification of Hurricane Milton is particularly concerning given the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the minimal vertical wind shear, conditions that are conducive to strengthening. These same conditions led to the explosive growth of Helene just two weeks ago. The National Hurricane Center emphasizes that regardless of the exact strength at landfall, there is growing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week.

Hurricane and storm surge watches are expected to be issued for portions of the Florida coastline by Sunday. Residents throughout Florida, as well as in the Florida Keys and northwestern Bahamas, are urged to stay informed about the storm's progress and be prepared to take action if necessary.

This article was written with the help of AI.

Jimmy Carter Turns 100

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, has reached a significant milestone by becoming the first former American president to turn 100. His centennial birthday, celebrated on October 1, 2024, marks a historic achievement for the former peanut farmer from Georgia who rose to global prominence as a world leader during the penultimate decade of the Cold War. 

While Carter is the first former president to reach this milestone, he joins a small club of centenarians in U.S. politics. Alf Landon, the 1936 Republican presidential nominee, also lived to be 100, but Carter's longevity as a former commander-in-chief stands alone in the nation’s history.

In 2015, at age 91, he was diagnosed with melanoma, which had spread to his brain, which he successfully beat. In November 2023, Rosalynn, his beloved wife of 77 years, passed away at the age of 96. Their union remains the longest marriage of any presidential couple in U.S. history. For the past 19 months, Carter has been receiving hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, but has continued to defy the odds, culminating in his centennial celebration this month. 

As Jimmy Carter celebrates his centennial, his life serves as a beacon of resilience, service, and leadership, with an enduring legacy that has touched millions across the world as a result of his post-presidency service. 

Hurricane Helene Leaves Destruction Across US Southeast

Hurricane Helene, the first major hurricane to strike the US this year, left billions of dollars in damage and dozens dead across the US Southeast. The fast-moving, large storm made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region as a category 4 storm before quickly moving into Georgia, snapping trees and damaging buildings with its high winds. Coastal cities like Cedar Key, Florida, were inundated with record-high storm surge, destroying many buildings not built on stilts. The surge in Tampa, hundreds of miles away from where the storm made landfall, also exceeded the surge from Idalia back in 2023.

The storm quickly moved north, dumping torrential rainfall in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Dams in North Carolina nearly reached their breaking point as flood waters moved into population centers, with the city of Asheville, North Carolina becoming isolated from surrounding areas by floodwaters. Videos have shown houses floating away after they were swept off their foundations. One town, Chimney Rock, was nearly completely wiped away by flooding.

Helene, the second major Atlantic hurricane of this season, quickly intensified from a tropical storm in the western Caribbean, dumping rain on eastern Cuba and on the Yucatan Peninsula. The warm ocean waters of the western Caribbean and eastern Gulf of Mexico allowed the storm’s windspeeds to reach 140 mph at landfall, and the storm’s large size allowed it to move high storm surge into a wide area.

Another group of storms is developing close to where Helene first formed in the western Caribbean and may form into another storm this week. Its exact track is still unknown.

 

Harris Slightly Ahead of Trump Nationally as Campaign Enters Final Stretch

Vice President Kamala Harris continues to hold a narrow but steady lead over former President Donald Trump in the RealClearPolitics polling average, edging Trump by 2 points nationally. Trump and Harris are essentially tied in the battleground states that will determine the election, with Trump slightly ahead in Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina. If Trump wins all three states, he only needs to win in Pennsylvania to beat Harris, where Harris holds a very slight lead in polling. Harris has small but slightly larger leads in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada.

Harris also picked up some polling momentum after the ABC News presidential debate, with Trump’s performance criticized as unfocused. Trump in turn criticized the debate moderators for only factchecking him and not Harris for untrue statements.

Vice presidential candidates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance will meet this Thursday for the vice presidential debate hosted by CBS.

Harris has led Trump in fundraising since Biden’s July withdrawal from the race, raising over $540 million. In August, the DNC and Harris campaign raised $257 million to the RNC and Trump’s $85 million.

 

Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Killed in Israeli Airstrike

Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanese group Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike this past week, a culmination of Israeli efforts to destroy Hezbollah’s leadership. Nasrallah had led the group since 1992.

Hezbollah, considered Israel’s most potent non-state opponent, has been firing rockets into Northern Israel for years and has ramped up the attacks since Israel launched its offensive into Gaza following the October 7th attack. Israel’s airstrikes came after it successfully detonated pagers and handheld radios used by Hezbollah operatives.

 

US Tops Medal Table, Ties with China for Gold at Paris Games

The United States topping the medal table for the eighth consecutive Olympics Games. Team USA finished with an impressive 126 total medals, including 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. China closely followed with 91 total medals, also securing 40 golds. Great Britain rounded out the top three with 65 medals overall.

Several memorable moments defined these Games,, with the U.S. women's basketball team clinching their eighth straight gold medal in a thrilling 67-66 victory over host nation France. Simone Biles made a triumphant return to gymnastics, securing three gold medals and one silver. In the pool, Katie Ledecky continued her dominance with two golds, a silver, and a bronze.

The Games also saw first-ever medals for Cape Verde, Dominica, St. Lucia, Albania, and the Refugee Olympic Team.

Looking ahead, the Olympic torch will next travel to Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Summer Games will then return to the United States, with Los Angeles set to host for the third time, following previous editions in 1932 and 1984.

 

Harris Seeks to Continue Campaign Momentum Following DNC, CNN Interview

The 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago concluded with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination, capping a drama-filled effort to replace Biden of the ticket following his June debate performance. The four-day event featured speeches from prominent Democrats and supporters, aiming to energize the party base and appeal to undecided voters.

Notable speakers included Oprah Winfrey, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and former First Ladies Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama. Each emphasized their party's vision for the country while critiquing Trump and Republican policies.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris's running mate, addressed the convention on the third day, highlighting his background as a teacher and governor.

In her acceptance speech on the last day, Harris sought to introduce herself to the American people by highlighting her personal background and career experiences. While she provided a broad overview of policy goals, such as strengthening the middle class, combatting climate change, and ending the war in Gaza, she largely avoided detailed policy changes in her speech.

According to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregates, the race between Harris and Trump remains competitive. National polls show a tight contest, with Harris holding a slight edge. In battleground states, the margins are narrow. Pennsylvania, a considered a must-win state by both campaigns, shows Harris leading by just 0.5 points. Trump continues to lead narrowly in Georgia and North Carolina.

Harris did sit down for a joint interview with CNN that included Walz this past week, the first she has given since Biden’s withdrawal. In the interview, she said that her values have not changed since her 2019 campaign, but that she did change her position on banning fracking (from for to against such a ban during the 2020 campaign). She also said she had no regrets for her comments supporting Biden’s fitness to run for reelection following Biden’s widely panned debate performance.

Both campaigns are expected to focus heavily on battleground states in the coming months ahead of the September 10th debate with ABC News.

Joe Biden Exits Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris

President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race on July 21 upended the general election campaign with just months to go until Election Day. His endorsement of Kamala Harris has allowed the Democratic Party to rally around Harris, who has largely united the party around her candidacy.

Biden’s decision came after sharply declining support from his fellow Democrats, lagging poll numbers against Trump, and concerns about his health. The 81-year-old president faced increasing pressure following a lackluster debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27, which heightened concerns about his capacity to lead for another term.

In a letter posted on social media, Biden expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and emphasized his commitment to fulfilling his duties for the remainder of his term. "While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down," Biden wrote.

The general reaction from fellow Democrats has been a mix of praise for Biden’s service and enthusiasm for Harris’s candidacy. Prominent Democrats, including potential presidential contenders California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, quickly echoed Biden’s endorsement of the vice president.

Harris has since clinched the presumptive nomination based on pledges from the delegates attending to the Democratic National Convention in August.

 

Paris Olympics 2024: Controversy Amid Athletic Glory

The Paris 2024 Olympics began with its opening ceremony along the Seine River on July 26. Athletes arrived by boat, passing landmarks like Notre-Dame and the Louvre, with performances by Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, as the Olympic flame lit the Olympic Cauldron, which is shaped as a hot air balloon.

The event faced challenges, however, with acts of sabotage targeting the French high-speed rail network and causing travel disruptions. The weather also posed issues, with rain starting just as the ceremony began, leading to a scramble to shelter equipment and attendees.

Reactions to the ceremonies have been mixed. While some praised the innovative artistic approach, others were frustrated by logistical problems, including long waits and overcrowding.

Controversy arose from one part of the ceremony that some viewers perceived as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s "The Last Supper." This segment, which featured drag queens and dancers arranged along a long table, was interpreted by some as mocking Christianity. The event organizers said the scene was intended to parody the Greek myth of the Feast of Dionysius rather than the Last Supper.

Security was tight in the lead up to the games, with heavy police patrols and multiple security checks along the Seine.

Some athletes have complained about uncomfortable beds and the lack of air conditioning at the Olympic Village, with some booking hotel rooms instead.

  

Republican National Convention Concludes with JD Vance as VP Nominee

Republicans held their national convention earlier this month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following the attempted assassination of Trump, the convention featured more subdued rhetoric, aiming to demonstrate unity in preparation for the general campaign.

In a break with recent tradition, Trump announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate while the convention was underway, rather than in the days leading up to it. Vance, a 39-year-old political newcomer and author of the bestselling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," has completed a transformation from staunch Trump critic (once referring to Trump as “reprehensible” and “cultural heroin” to a trusted ally who can carry on Trump’s vision after a possible second term.

Trump’s announcement, made via Truth Social just as the convention was kicking off, praised Vance as "the person best suited" to be his potential vice president. The former president highlighted Vance’s Marine Corps service and his memoir, positioning him as a champion for hardworking Americans, particularly in key swing states. 

Other notable speakers included UN Ambassador and presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who formally endorsed Trump following their heated primary rivalry; and Peter Navarro, a former Trump trade adviser. Navarro delivered his remarks just hours after being released from federal prison, where he was held following his contempt of Congress conviction.

The convention concluded with Trump formally accepting the GOP nomination, delivering an emotional recount of the assassination attempt and calling for unity, while also touching upon familiar talking points often heard in his campaign rallies. Trump’s 93-minute speech set the record for the longest acceptance speech by a presidential nominee.

 

Investigation Continues into Motive Behind Attempted Trump Assassination

Federal investigators continue to piece together the motives behind the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. Despite extensive investigative efforts, including over 200 interviews and a thorough review of Crooks’s digital footprint, his exact motivations remain unknown.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has been described as an intelligent yet unassuming loner with an interest in guns. He did not openly express strong political views, leading investigators to speculate whether his motives were political. Crooks may have been targeting high-profile figures, with Trump being the most accessible target due to the rally’s proximity to Crooks’s home.

Crooks had visited the rally location twice before the day of the attack and had images of both Trump and President Joe Biden on his phone. His search history included dates for the Democratic National Convention and future Trump events, providing some evidence that he was looking for high-profile opportunities to target.

 

Kamala Harris Launches Campaign GOP Retools Their Strategy

Vice President Kamala Harris has launched her campaign for the White House following President Joe Biden’s stunning withdrawal from the race on July 21. With the political landscape dramatically altered, with both the Democratic and Republican parties scrambling to adjust their strategies and messaging.

Harris wasted no time in capitalizing on the momentum generated by Biden’s endorsement, with her campaign announcing a record-breaking fundraising haul of $200 million in the 10 days after Biden’s withdrawal. This massive influx of support, much of it coming from new donors, has energized the party’s base and signaled a potential resurgence of enthusiasm among voters who had previously expressed dissatisfaction with a Biden candidacy.

Harris does face headwinds, however, as she currently polls below Trump in general election polling, according to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate. Harris’s supporters counter that the polling has not yet taken into account shifting voters’ attitudes now that she is the likely Democratic nominee, and they argue that she will overtake Trump as the campaign continues.

On the Republican side, former President Donald Trump and his newly minted running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, are recalibrating their approach. Trump’s recent rallies have signaled a departure from unity message that followed his assassination attempt two weeks ago, with the former president reverting to his more combative style as they seek to highlight Harris’s 2020 positions on crime and immigration. The GOP is eyeing traditionally Democratic strongholds, hoping to expand the electoral map in their favor.

Democrats are also adopting a new line of attack against the Republican ticket, characterizing Trump and Vance’s policies, as well as the men themselves, as “weird.” Harris herself has echoed this sentiment, describing Republican policies as “just plain weird” during a recent rally in Atlanta. Republicans have countered that this strategy distracts from real policy disagreements between the two candidates and from Harris’s record as vice president.

Harris has not yet selected a running mate, with possible contenders being PA Gov. Josh Shapiro, KY Gov. Andy Beshear, MN Gov. Tim Walz, and AZ Sen. Mark Kelly.

 

Supreme Court Rulings Target Federal Regulatory Apparatus

The Supreme Court issued several rulings this past week that curtails the federal regulatory system, attracting praise from conservatives and condemnation from progressives.

The most impactful decision was to overturn the Chevron deference doctrine in 6-3 decision along ideological lines, which required the federal judiciary to defer to the interpretation of regulatory agencies when interpreting ambiguous language in federal regulatory statutes passed by Congress, as long as their interpretation are reasonable.

The Chevron deference doctrine had been in force since a 1984 decision and has since been cited in thousands of cases. The Supreme Court in its majority ruling said that those case decision can stand, though the judiciary can no longer simply defer to the agencies’ interpretations in future cases and must interpret ambiguous statutes independently.

Critics of the decision says this ruling will lead to expertise being overruled by ideologically driven judges as well as leading to more regulatory uncertainty as agencies can later be overruled by judicial decisions.

Proponents of the decision dismiss the uncertainty argument, saying that regulatory interpretations are already changed as new administrations take office and that this will force Congress to use less ambiguous and tighter language when writing legislation.

The Supreme Court also ruled against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in another 6-3 decision, ruling that targets of civil enforcement can have their cases heard by a jury trial rather than by agency adjudication bodies. While in-house a judication had Congress’s approval, the majority opinion ruled that it violated the Seventh Amendment’s protection of right to trial by jury. Critics claim this ruling will stymie regulatory efforts, given the expense and length of jury trials.

 

Attempted Bolivia Coup Ends with General’s Arrest

Bolivia avoided a coup attempt last Wednesday that would have overthrown President Luis Arce, who has faced a political crisis within his ruling left-wing party and a looming financial crisis.

The Bolivian Army’s chief general, Juan Jose Zuniga, failed to take control of the government even as his troops took control of several government buildings in the capital La Paz. Arce confronted Zuniga, ordering him to stand down, while also calling for street demonstrations to stand against the coup attempt. Zuniga’s troops began to stand down, and Zuniga was taken into custody.

Zuniga accused Arce of ordering him to plot a fake coup to boost his popularity, a charge Arce denies. Bolivia’s geostrategic importance has been heightened recently because of its massive lithium deposits, a key resource in the electric energy transition because of its role in high-capacity batteries.

 

Legendary Baseball Player Willie Mays Dies at 93

Willie Mays, the baseball great who captured the attention of millions for his strong batting and outfield abilities, died June 18th in Palo Alto, California, at 93. Known as ‘The Say Hey Kid,’ his cheerful demeanor and theatrics on the field delighted fans for his two decades of play in the major leagues.

Mays was born in 1931 in Westfield, Alabama. He began playing baseball as a young boy and started his professional career in the Negro Leagues, playing for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos and the Birmingham Barons.

In 1951, he joined the New York Giants, becoming National League Rookie of the Year. After being drafted to fight in the Korean War, he returned in 1954, helping the Giants win the World Series, most notably through the most famous play in his career, the ‘The Catch,’ in Game 1.

He went on to play until 1973, staying with the Giants when they moved to San Francisco in 1958 until his trade to the New York Mets in 1972, retiring as third in career home runs. He would make regular appearances at Giants games in his retirement.

 

Julian Assange Pleads Guilty as US Ends Legal Fight

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange pled guilty last Wednesday to one count of violating the Espionage Act at a US federal courthouse in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, capping a years-long fight against legal charges that threatened to send him to prison for decades. In exchange for the plea, Assange was sentenced to time served, crediting his time spent in a British prison awaiting extradition.

Assange, who launched Wikileaks in 2006, was accused of conspiring with hackers to steal US state secrets to publish on the site. Defenders of Assange called the charges attacks on the rights of journalists. Materials made public on Wikileaks over the years included video of US servicemembers killing Reuters journalists in Iraq and hacked DNC emails during the 2016 election.

After pleading guilty, Assange travelled to his home country of Australia. Assange had faced the threat of arrest and prison since 2010, first over sexual assault charges in Sweden. While those were dropped in 2019, the US charged him with Espionage Act violations in 2018. He had taken refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London from 2012 until 2019, when he was expelled and quickly arrested by British authorities.

 

Hurricane Beryl Becomes Earliest-Forming Category 4 in Atlantic Basin

Hurricane Beryl, only the second storm of what has been predicted to be a highly active Atlantic hurricane season, has become the earliest forming major hurricane in the Atlantic basin as well as the earliest forming category four storm in the basin, beating the record set by Hurricane Dennis in July 2007. Beryl, which only became a tropical storm on June 28th, rapidly intensified into a major hurricane, reaching category 4 status on Sunday.

The storm has the potential to reach category 5 strength, which would displace Hurricane Emily in 2005 as the earliest forming category 5 in the Atlantic.

Beryl will move through the Windward Islands this coming week, with major impacts expected in St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Tobago. Afterwards, the storm will head towards the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, where it faces an uncertain path forward through the Gulf of Mexico. The European model has Beryl heading into Mexico south of Tampico, while the US model takes Beryl on a more northerly path towards Corpus Christi, Texas.

 

Biden’s Debate Performance Prompts Calls to Drop Out, President Vows to Remain

President Joe Biden’s debate performance against former President Donald Trump on Thursday some calling it one of the worst debate performances by a presidential candidate in American history. During the debate, Biden spoke in a low, hoarse voice, frequently delivering meandering answers and often confusing topics. During periods when Trump was talking, he appeared at times to close his eyes and have his mouth open. In one response to a question, he ended it by saying, “We finally beat Medicare,” which he did not later attempt to correct. 

During the debate, the White House reached out to media organizations, claiming a cold had been causing his voice issues.

His performance quickly led to calls by some fellow Democrats to drop out of the race or consider doing so, a sharp reversal from the previous stance from many Democrats that Biden was sharp and able to serve a second term. On Friday, The New York Times Editorial Board called on Biden to drop out. While praising his record in office, the board said he is “engaged in a reckless gamble” that could allow Trump a second term, which they call “a danger.”

Biden’s team has dismissed these calls so far, dismissing the New York Times editorial and trying to refocus the attention to Trump.

If Biden were to drop out of the race, his campaign cash could only be transferred to Harris presidential campaign. Should the party’s delegates choose not to proceed with a Harris nomination, the new nominee would need to raise new funds for the campaign against Trump.

While most of the post-debate focus has been on Biden, Trump’s performance has also been discussed. While Trump’s answers were far more forceful than Biden’s and he did not appear to lose his train of thought, he faced criticism for dodging questions on the environment, January 6th, and other topics, as well as providing misleading or false responses to other questions. His non-committal answer on whether he would accept the results of election (only if it is ‘fair and legal and good’), also attracted criticism.

A Morning Consult poll after the debate showed that 60% of respondents believe Biden should drop out of the race. A similar CBS News poll showed 54% of registered voters do not believe Trump should run for president, with 46% saying he should.

 

Trump Makes Unorthodox Stops in the Bronx and at LNC

Former President Donald Trump made two unorthodox stops as a Republican presidential candidate last week, holding a rally in the heavily Democratic Bronx in New York City as well as making a speaking appearance at the Libertarian National Convention.

Trump spoke to several thousand rallygoers in Crotona Park in the Bronx on May 23, making Trump the first Republican to campaign in the Bronx since Ronald Reagan. His speech’s content was standard fare for one of his rallies, with additional references to the struggles facing black and Hispanic families, which make up the majority of the Bronx’s population. His rally was also met with a number of counter protesters.

Trump also spoke Sunday to delegates at the Libertarian National Convention, the day after Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. also addressed delegates. Both men highlighted their agreements with the Libertarian platform, with Trump asking delegates to make him the nominee, a request met with jeers and boos. Trump promised to commute the sentence of Ross Ulbright, founder of dark net marketplace Silk Road, which was met with loud cheering. 

 

Trump Found Guilty on All 34 Charges in NY Hush Money Trial

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony charges in his hush money trial in Manhattan on Thursday, capping a weeks-long dramatic legal showdown that saw the testimony of his former lawyer Michael Cohen and former porn star Stormy Daniels (real name Stephanie Clifford).

The convictions stem from 2016 payments made to Daniels by Cohen as part of a non-disclosure agreement over an alleged affair in 2006, which Trump later reimbursed. Prosecutors alleged that the payments were aimed at influencing the 2016 election and thus should have been labeled as campaign contributions rather than legal expenses. Because the false entries in business records were used to conceal another crime (federal campaign finance violations), it upgraded the violations to felonies and allowed the charges to be brought within the statute of limitations, which tolled when Trump left New York for Florida.

Trump is widely expected to appeal the verdict, with his team likely to claim a pro-prosecution bias by Judge Juan Merchan in his decisions during the trial and in his jury instructions.

President Joe Biden was expected to speak on the Trump verdict in an official White House address, but has since said he will address the verdict in answers to reporters during typical press questioning. His campaign communications director Michael Tyler released a statement saying, “In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law.”

Biden’s son, Hunter, will face his own trial on firearms charges in June over alleged false statements on federal firearms forms. He also faces pending federal tax charges in California.

 

Severe Storms Strike Texas and Other States, 25 Dead

At least 25 have been killed in severe weather over the Memorial Day weekend, with subsequent storms on Tuesday, downing power lines and leaving thousands without power in the North Texas region.

Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins warned his county’s residents that it could take days to restore power and that they should avoid downed lines.

The central US has been hammered with severe weather this month as cold fronts collide with hotter air masses, spawning severe thunderstorms and tornadoes as they push south.

 

Midwest Tornado Outbreaks Kill At Least 5

The Midwest endured days of severe weather last week and this past weekend, including tornadoes and strong wind. One of the tornadoes, an EF-4 which struck Marietta, Oklahoma, and killed 1, was the country’s strongest tornado in over a year, with its winds estimated at 170 miles per hour.

Another tornado hit Sulphur, Oklahoma, killing 5 and injuring over 100 others in the small town of just over 5,000. That tornado is currently rated as an EF-3, but could be upgraded as the damage it caused is surveyed further.

 

Universities Grapple with Unrest at Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations

Universities across the US continue to struggle to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations on their campuses.

Columbia University has emerged as one of the most prominent flashpoints in the ongoing unrest, with protesters occupying public spaces and blocking entrance to buildings. Reports of Jewish students being harassed drew condemnation, including from the White House.

Demonstrators have refused to abandon encampments as the university’s administration has threatened suspension. An order to abandon the camp by 2 PM EDT Monday went largely unheeded.

Similar demonstrations have occurred at Yale University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Southern California, and the University of California, Berkeley.

At Northwestern University, protesters reached an agreement with the administration to largely dismantle their camp, with the university in turn funding two new Palestinian faculty members and funding scholarships for five Palestinian undergraduate students.

 

Slowing Economic Growth, Rising Inflation Raises Concerns

Economists have been hoping for a ‘soft landing’ scenario, in which the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening would tame inflation without causing a recession. In the closing months of 2023, it appeared that this ideal scenario was in reach. with falling inflation numbers, low unemployment, and talks of cutting interest rates. However, recent economic data has cast doubt on whether the US economy can stick the landing.

Inflation numbers for the first quarter of 2024 came in higher than expected, with consumer prices rising 3.5% in March year-over-year, up from February’s 3.2% inflation rate. The target inflation rate is 2%.

Meanwhile, US GDP growth for the first quarter of 2024 was 1.6% annualized, a decrease from the 3.4% growth rate in Q4 2023. This slowing growth, combined with the rising inflation, has raised fears of possible ‘stagflation,’ in which the economy shrinks while prices rise. Typically, prices decrease in recession, reducing the hardship on consumers amid job losses and reduced economic output. In a stagflation scenario, customers pay higher prices while still facing job losses.

Equity markets have pulled back in response to the data as investors have become far less confident of the Fed cutting interest rate cuts this year.

The current economic situation remains relatively strong on paper: Unemployment remains low, job growth remains strong, and inflation remains far below the high levels seen in 2021 and 2022. These positive economic indicators have been blunted by what some have called a cost of living crisis, most notably felt in rising housing costs and wages not keeping up with rising costs in general.

 

Baltimore Bridge Collapse Caused by Cargo Ship Kills 6, Threatens City Economy

The container ship Dali struck the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, resulting in the death of 6 construction workers on the bridge. The ridge was closed to traffic just before the Dali lost power and collided with the bridge.

Traffic across the river will be detoured for the foreseeable future to Baltimore’s two tunnels as crews work to remove the fallen bridge, a challenge given the bridge’s size and structure. Baltimore’s port will largely remain closed, posing a threat to the metro area’s economy.

 

Former US Senator and Vice Presidential Nominee Joe Lieberman Dies at 82

Former US Senator and Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman died Wednesday at 82. His family said in a statement that his death was caused by complications from a fall.

Lieberman, born on February 24, 1942, to a Jewish family in Stamford, Connecticut, attended Yale University for his undergraduate and law degrees. He was elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 1970 as a Democrat, where he later became majority leader. He became Connecticut attorney general in 1983, and in 1988 he challenged incumbent US Senator Lowell Weicker, a liberal Republican. With the support of fellow Yale alumni William F. Buckley, founder of the National Review, and his brother, former Senator James L. Buckley, Lieberman won the Senate seat.

In 2000, Al Gore chose Lieberman as his running mate. The ticket later narrowly lost to George W. Bush. Lieberman lost the Democratic nomination in his 2006 reelection campaign to future governor Ned Lamont, but won the general as an independent. He continued to caucus with the Democrats to maintain his committee assignments.

He endorsed John McCain for president in 2008 and was considered as a possible VP pick for McCain. Lieberman retired from the Senate in 2012.

 

Biden Ramps Up Campaign as Trump Faces Financial Headwinds

The Biden campaign raised around $26 million from a New York City fundraiser last week attended by celebrities and two of the three former Democratic presidents. This adds to the president’s and the Democrats’ large fundraising advantage over Donald Trump and the Republicans.

The fundraiser consisted of musical performances by Queen Latifah and Lizzo, along with a panel discussion with Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton and hosted by comedian Stephen Colbert.

Biden’s team has tapped into their funds for a $30 million ad blitz in the swing states, where he largely trails Trump. Biden has closed some of the gap with Trump in these states, but he still trails Trump in the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate, both in the swing states and nationally.

Trump, facing financial setbacks as a result of his legal troubles, may have gotten a needed boost when his social media company, Truth Social, went public last week under the ticker DJT. The long-awaited listing allowed the company to reach a market capitalization of over $8 billion. Trump’s 58% stake in the company gives the former president $5.2 billion, in addition to his existing wealth from real estate and other investments.

However, a large selloff of his holdings may cause the stock price of Trump Media & Technology Group to fall, reducing the liquid wealth from which he can draw. Trump also faces a lock up period in which he cannot sell his shares for six months. He may, however, obtain a waiver from this restriction or borrow money against his holdings.

 

Former Costa Rican First Lady Marita Camacho Quiros Celebrates 113th Birthday

Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós, the former First Lady of Costa Rica, celebrated her 113th birthday today. Born on March 10, 1911, in San Ramón, she married businessman and politician Francisco José Orlich Bolmarcich, a descendant of Croatian immigrants, who became president of Costa Rica in 1962, serving until 1966. Both shared March 10 as their birthday. 

During her husband's presidency, she promoted children's education and shelters throughout the country. She and her husband also met US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson on official state visits.

Her husband died a few years after leaving office at 62 in 1969. Now at 113, Camacho Quirós is the world's oldest former first lady ever, the oldest living Costa Rican, and the 28th oldest living person in the world. She is the oldest living person who remains notable for reasons other than their longevity. 

Camacho Quirós in 1962
Credit: US State Department

More information on her life and images of her throughout her life can be found on her Gerontology Fandom page.

Haley Vows to Stay in Until Super Tuesday

While former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has failed to win any states so far in her quest for the Republican nomination, she has vowed to remain in the primary race until Super Tuesday. Former President Donald Trump has finished first in all states that have voted so far, including Haley’s home state of South Carolina.

Haley is the last major candidate still challenging Trump for the nomination, with all other major GOP challengers dropping out prior to the Iowa caucuses or shortly after. A longshot contender, Texas pastor and businessman Ryan Binkley, dropped out of the race this week and endorsed Trump.

Trump leads Nikki Haley in the RealClearPolitics average of polls 78.7% to 14.5%. So far, Haley has performed much better in each state that has voted than 14.5%, though in Michigan, the latest state to hold its primary, she failed to break 30% of the vote.

Trump’s campaign has appeared to transition to general election campaigning, with Trump choosing not to mention Haley in his victory speech after the South Carolina primary.

 

Odysseus Lunar Lander Shuts Down After Week-Long Mission

The Odysseus lunar lander has been shut down by its operators after successfully transmitting data for the past week. The lander, developed by Houston-based Intuitive Machines and launched by a SpaceX rocket, was part of the first private mission to the moon, as opposed to government-sponsored missions.

The mission did face a challenge when the lander tipped over shortly after reaching the lunar surface, a result of a harder-than-expected landing that broke two of its legs, but the lander continued to communicate with the earth-based team.

Intuitive Machines hopes that the lander will be able to be brought back online once solar power becomes available to its solar panels again.

 

Biden, Trump Make Dueling Visits to Texas Border Cities

President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump both made visits to the Texas-Mexico border on Thursday. Biden visited Brownsville, the southernmost city in the state, and Trump visited Eagle Pass, one of the most active crossing sites for migrants for the past several years.

Trump landed first in Del Rio before traveling to Eagle Pass, where he was joined by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and by National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd, both staunch backers of Trump in his rematch against Biden in November.

In his speech, Trump blasted Biden, calling him the “worst president” in American history and pledged to reinstate the policies of his presidency, including Remain in Mexico, where asylum claimants waited in Mexico while their claims were adjudicated.

In Brownsville, Biden met with local leaders and border patrol agents, where he had a brief tour of the border and then gave a speech at the border patrol station. After he spoke briefly on the wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, he called on Republicans to pass a bipartisan bill that would allocate money to hire more border patrol agents and judges.

Democrats have accused congressional Republicans of bowing to pressure from Trump to not pass the bill in order to prevent Biden from claiming credit in reducing the number of migrants coming to the US. Republicans counter that Biden can take executive action without the bill and that the bill should not be tied to funding for Ukraine in the war against Russia.

The trip to Brownsville is Biden’s first trip to South Texas and his second to the US-Mexico border.

 

Trump Looks Likely to Take GOP Nod, Haley Vows to Stay In

Coming off two straight victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, former President Donald Trump has moved closer to becoming the Republican nominee in November. While still early in the contest, Trump only faces one major competitor for the race, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, over whom he holds a nearly 55-point lead nationwide, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls.

Even with this large polling advantage, Haley has vowed to remain in the race, putting her hope in a strong showing in her home state of South Carolina, which votes next month. While it is Haley’s home state, Trump currently has a 30-point polling lead over Haley in the South Carolina.

Trump recently rebuffed an effort by some Republican National Committee (RNC) members to declare Trump the presumptive nominee. Trump wrote on his Truth Social page, “While I greatly appreciate the [RNC] wanting to make me their PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE...I feel...that they should NOT go forward with this plan...and finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX.”

 

US Says It Will Respond to Recent Deadly Drone Attack

The Biden administration has promised a response to the drone strike that killed three American servicemembers in Jordan. According to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, the US holds the Islamic Resistance in Iraq responsible for the attack, which itself is an umbrella organization that contains Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shia militant group.

Kirby also said that the response from the US  would not ‘be a one-off,’ but would come in phases.

The three soldiers killed in the drone strike were Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23. All three were from Georgia.

Kata'ib Hezbollah did announce that it would suspend military operations against US force in the region, though whether it will truly back off from targeting US assets in the region is questionable.

The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC), Hossein Salami, warned that Iran was willing to respond to US retaliatory strikes, also saying, "We (Iran) are not looking for war, but we are not afraid of it either.” This echoes a similar sentiment from President Biden, who has also sought to avoid escalating the conflict in the Middle East.

The Middle East erupted into conflict after the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians, killing 1,139. Israel responded with large scale airstrikes and a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in over 25,000 dead (both civilians and Hamas militants). In response, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which control Yemen’s capital Sana’a and much of its western region, have launched attacks on cargo ships and US military vessels, leading to US strikes on Houthi targets.

 

Fed Declines to Cut Rates at Latest Meeting, May Cut in Future

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged after their latest meeting Wednesday, but future cuts may in store as inflation declines and concerns over an economic slowdown grow.

In the latest statement from the Fed, they expressed that rate cuts were not warranted currently as inflation remains elevated, but they dropped a reference to ‘additional policy firming,’ possibly signaling the cuts could come in the future and that additional rate increases are unlikely unless higher inflations returns.

The latest economic growth numbers remain strong, with job growth continuing, even amid notable layoffs at large companies this January.