Harambe Remembered Ten Years Later

Ten years ago Thursday, the 17-year-old western lowland gorilla Harambe was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo after a three-year-old boy fell into his enclosure. Born on May 27, 1999, at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, Harambe had been transferred to Cincinnati in 2014.

The zoo's decision to shoot him rather than risk a tranquilizer, which could have taken minutes to work and potentially agitated Harambe, set off a petition that collected over half a million signatures and launched what became one of the internet's most durable meme cycles. The Cincinnati Zoo director said publicly that the zoo was "not amused" by the jokes and petitions, and the zoo eventually deactivated their Twitter temporarily.

What followed over the next decade was harder to categorize. The memes, often absurdist, irreverent, occasionally pointed, became a shorthand for a particular strain of Millennial and Gen Z humor. This week, on the eve of the anniversary, the official White House account on X posted a lengthy tribute calling Harambe "an icon that became part of internet history, American culture, and an entire generation's timeline," and referred to him as a "true patriot." The post sparked immediate debate, with some finding it nostalgic and others questioning whether the gesture was appropriate for an official government account. Whatever one makes of it, the fact that the White House felt the moment worth marking says something about how thoroughly a gorilla from Brownsville worked his way into the American cultural fabric.

 

SpaceX IPO Nears Reality

SpaceX filed its S-1 registration statement with the SEC on May 20th, putting the world's most anticipated IPO on an official countdown. The prospectus targets up to $75 billion in proceeds at a valuation approaching $2 trillion. The filing revealed that Musk controls 85% of shareholder votes and that the company lost nearly $5 billion last year, driven in part by AI division spending. Starlink is the only profitable segment.

 For markets, the deal would reset expectations around private-to-public transitions and test whether retail investors, allocated 30% of the offering, three times the typical share, will absorb that risk willingly.

 

End of an Era in Texas as Paxton Faces Talarico

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated four-term Sen. John Cornyn by more than 25 percentage points in Tuesday's Republican Senate runoff, ending the long-serving Republican senator’s career and making Cornyn the first GOP senator from the state to lose his party's nomination for reelection. The Associated Press called the race almost immediately after polls closed.

Paxton, who was impeached by the GOP-led Texas House in 2023 on corruption charges and later acquitted by the state Senate, secured the nomination one week after receiving President Donald Trump's endorsement, the latest in a string of Trump-backed primary victories this month that also ousted Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

In the attorney general race, state Sen. Mayes Middleton defeated U.S. Rep. Chip Roy roughly 55% to 45%, casting himself as the MAGA candidate even without a Trump endorsement. Roy's past criticism of the president likely hurt him among primary voters.

In response, the Cook Political Report shifted the Texas Senate race from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican" after the runoff, and an early post-runoff poll showed Democrat James Talarico, a state representative from Austin, leading Paxton 47% to 44%. Nearly a third of Cornyn's primary voters told pollsters they would support, a figure that could make Texas a major battleground for Senate control in November.

 

Jerome Powell to Stay on Fed Board after Chair Term Ends

Jerome Powell confirmed this week that he will remain on the Fed’s Board of Governors after his term as chair expires May 15th, breaking sharply with the modern tradition in which outgoing Fed chairs leave the institution entirely.

Powell cited what he called an unprecedented series of legal attacks on the central bank, including a Justice Department criminal probe over the Fed's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation. A federal judge quashed the probe in March, finding the government had produced "essentially zero evidence" of wrongdoing. The DOJ announced on April 24 that it was closing the inquiry, though U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said she would restart the investigation if warranted, and the White House characterized the matter as transferred to the Fed's Inspector General rather than fully resolved.

"These legal actions by the administration are unprecedented in our 113-year history," Powell said, adding that he felt he had "no choice" but to stay until the matter reached a transparent conclusion. He said he would keep a low profile and step aside once Kevin Warsh, whose nomination advanced out of the Senate Banking Committee 13–11 on Wednesday, is confirmed as his successor.

 

Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted Again

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted this week on two felony counts of threatening President Donald Trump, stemming from a May 2025 Instagram photo of seashells arranged to spell "86 47."

Comey surrendered Wednesday in Alexandria, Virginia, and was released without bond. His attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, said Comey "vigorously denies the charges." This is Comey’s second indictment under the Trump administration, the first of which was thrown out when the US attorney who brought the charges was found to have been illegally appointed. Those charges related to previous testimony before Congress.

 

Details on WHCD Shooter Released

Federal prosecutors have charged Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, with three counts including attempting to assassinate President Trump after Allen opened fire at a security checkpoint outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton on the evening of April 25. A Secret Service officer struck by gunfire was protected by a bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. Allen was subdued at the scene.

Court documents reveal weeks of deliberate planning. Allen reserved a room at the Hilton on April 6, traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington, and minutes before the attack sent family members a manifesto in which he described himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" and expressed rage at the Trump administration's policies, though he did not name the president by name. Prosecutors say his target list prioritized administration officials by rank.

A Caltech-educated engineer, Allen had no prior criminal record. Investigators found anti-Trump social media posts across his accounts.

The incident is the third reported assassination attempt against Trump since July 2024 and comes amid a sharp rise in politically motivated violence across the country, including two prior attempts on Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally and a West Palm Beach golf course; the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in September 2025; and the June 2025 targeted killing of Minnesota House Democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home, and the shooting of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife at theirs.

 

Florida and Virginia's Redistricting Gamble

Ahead of the 2026 midterms, Florida and Virginia are both pursuing mid-decade redistricting for partisan gain. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session for late April to redraw the congressional map, drawing Democratic backlash and gerrymandering concerns.

In Virginia, voters face an April 21 referendum on a constitutional amendment that, if passed, would temporarily allow the Democratic-controlled legislature to bypass the state's bipartisan commission and enact a heavily Democratic 10-1 congressional map.

 

TSA Begins Seeing Relief as DHS Remains Shutdown

The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stretched to over 45 days amid a deadlock over immigration funding. The impasse began February 14 when Democrats demanded changes to ICE and Border Patrol operations following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis: Renee Good, killed by an ICE agent on January 7, and Alex Pretti, killed by Customs and Border Protection officers on January 24.

This lapse severely disrupted air travel, leaving TSA officers unpaid for weeks. Hundreds of screeners have quit and thousands more have missed shifts, triggering nationwide airport bottlenecks with wait times stretching up to four hours at the hardest-hit hubs.

To alleviate the crisis, President Trump signed a directive Friday, directing funds to compensate screeners. Most TSA officers began receiving retroactive back pay Monday, though union officials noted concerns about missing overtime payments and improper tax withholding. The broader DHS shutdown persists, with both chambers unable to reconcile their competing funding bills.

 

Operation Epic Fury and Its Fallout

The Middle East remains engulfed in the widening fallout of Operation Epic Fury, a joint US-Israeli military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear and ballistic capabilities. American and Israeli forces have established air supremacy, striking thousands of targets and significantly degrading Iran's missile networks and naval infrastructure.

In retaliation, Tehran launched an unprecedented barrage of drones and missiles across nearby states, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, targeting energy hubs and civilian airports. Most consequentially for the global economy, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed, with major shipping lines having suspended regional bookings, stranding numerous container ships. This blockade triggered acute volatility in global energy markets and severe supply chain bottlenecks for European and Asian manufacturing.

Internationally, the crisis has sharply divided capitals. While many European nations have broadly condemned Iran's retaliatory strikes, several Asian countries have called for immediate de-escalation to stabilize trade. Although the Trump administration has signaled hopes for internal regime change, those expectations have already faced complications: Iran's Assembly of Experts, a governing body that selects the nation’s supreme leader, still managed to convene and appoint Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as his successor earlier this month. Regional experts warn that rather than hastening collapse, the episode may instead empower the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to consolidate power under the new leadership or ultimately plunge the nation into a protracted civil war.

 

Pakistan and Afghanistan Escalate Tensions to Open War

Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan have boiled over into the most severe clashes since the Taliban's 2021 takeover, triggered by mutual accusations of harboring militants. Pakistan alleges that Afghanistan shelters fighters from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, also called the Pakistani Taliban), who have launched deadly attacks inside Pakistan, including a February 6 suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad that killed 32 people. ISIS-Khorasan Province claimed responsibility, though Pakistan alleged planning occurred in Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban denies any involvement, claiming Pakistani incursions violate their sovereignty.

The escalation began when Pakistan conducted airstrikes on alleged militant camps on February 21, killing civilians according to Afghan and UN sources. Clashes intensified on February 26 when the Taliban launched retaliatory strikes on Pakistani border posts. Pakistan responded with "Operation Ghazab Lil Haq" (Righteous Fury) on February 27, conducting airstrikes on 22 targets in Kabul, Kandahar, Khost, Nangarhar, Paktia, and Paktika provinces. Pakistani officials claimed to have destroyed 73 outposts, captured 18 others, and killed 274 Taliban fighters (a figure that later increased to over 330).

Casualty figures differ sharply and remain unverified. Pakistan reports 12 soldiers killed and 27 wounded, while Afghanistan claims 55 Pakistani soldiers killed and 19 posts captured or destroyed, with 13 Taliban fighters killed and 12 injured. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared an "open war," stating patience had run out. The Taliban expressed openness to talks amid fears of broader regional instability.

 

Olympics Closes Out in Italy with Most US Gold Medals at a Winter Games

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics concluded last Sunday with the United States securing second place in the medal standings, tallying 33 medals including a record 12 golds, trailing only Norway's 41 total medals and 18 golds. Team USA's gold medal haul marked its strongest performance in a winter games, highlighted by standout triumphs in figure skating and hockey that ended long national droughts.

Alysa Liu emerged as the breakout star, claiming gold in the women's singles, America's first individual Olympic figure skating title for a woman since Sarah Hughes in 2002. The 20-year-old Californian, who retired at 16 after Beijing 2022 only to return after rediscovering her passion through skiing, delivered flawless routines capped by a Donna Summer-themed free skate that propelled her from third to first. Liu's poise under pressure allowed her to claim victor over the gold medal favorite, Japanese skater  Kaori Sakamoto, who is retiring from the sport.

US figure skaters also won the team gold medal, narrowly defeating Japan after strong performances from Ilia Malinin (who fell short of the podium in the men’s single’s event) and ice dance pair Evan Bates and Madison Chock, who took silver in the ice dance event.

In hockey, the U.S. men's team evoked the memory of Miracle on Ice, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime for its first Olympic gold since 1980. Jack Hughes scored the decisive goal (even after losing teeth earlier in the game) while his brother Quinn anchored a defense that neutralized Canadian star Connor McDavid. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck defended successfully against 41 of the 42 shots the Canadian team took against him.

The women’s hockey team also won a 2-1 victory over Canada, with Megan Keller scoring the game-winner in overtime during the gold medal final. Goaltender Aerin Frankel stopped all but one of the shots launched by the relentless Canadian team.

The victories completed a U.S. hockey sweep, the first in US Olympic history, fueling celebrations with political edges as President Trump hailed the squad and recognized the men’s team during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Breezy Johnson took downhill gold; Mikaela Shiffrin added another gold medal in slalom.  Speed skater Jordan Stolz won two golds and one silver in his second appearance at the Olympics.

Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klæbo became the Winter Olympian with the most gold medals ever, reaching 11 gold medals across his career.

The next winter games will be held relatively close by in the French Alps region of France in 2030. It will return to the US for the first time since 2002 for the 2034 games, which like 2002 will also be held in Utah.

The next summer games will be held in Los Angeles, the first US summer games since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

 

Pentagon Drops Anthropic in Clash Over Military Use

A contract spat between the Department of Defense and AI company Anthropic has hardened into a values‑driven standoff over the military’s use of generative AI, culminating Friday in an announcement that the Pentagon will no longer use Anthropic’s Claude product while also prohibiting military contractors from using it.

At the core of the dispute are Anthropic’s refusal to allow its model to not be used for mass surveillance of Americans nor power fully autonomous weapons that can engage targets without human oversight. Defense officials, in turn, demand the ability to deploy Anthropic’s Claude system for “all lawful purposes,” arguing that vendors’ stipulations should not constrain battlefield decisions even if those uses never actually materialize. The Pentagon has denied plans to use AI for mass surveillance of US citizens or for autonomous weapons.

OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT and its underlying AI models, has said they will accept the Pentagon’s preferred “all lawful purposes” language while relying on internal policies to bar mass surveillance of Americans and fully autonomous weapons, allowing it to secure a major defense‑AI role without matching Anthropic’s contractual red lines.

 

Israel, US Launch Strikes Against Iran, Kill Supreme Leader Khamenei

Israel and the United States launched sweeping air and missile strikes across Iran Saturday, igniting what officials in Washington and Jerusalem are calling a preemptive war against Tehran’s nuclear program and regional military reach. The operation targeted air defenses, missile facilities, command centers in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom and other key sites, according to U.S. and Israeli military statements. Strikes also targeted key Iranian regime leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who US President Donald Trump says was killed, writing on Truth Social, “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

Israel described the strikes  as one of the largest air campaigns in its history, aimed at neutralizing Iran’s ballistic missile expansion and support for proxy militias that have attacked American and Israeli interests.

U.S. officials justified the strikes as essential to dismantling Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons path and safeguarding forces across the Middle East. President Donald Trump framed the campaign as a stand against a “radical regime” threatening global security, urging Iranians to rise against their rulers. Tehran denounced the assault as unprovoked aggression, vowing severe consequences.

Iran retaliated swiftly, unleashing ballistic missiles and drones on Israeli cities and US bases in the Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Air raid sirens echoed in Tel Aviv after a few Iranian missiles evaded the Iron Dome and strike the city.

US lawmakers offered divided reactions, largely but not entirely along part lines. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) praised the strikes as “necessary and long justified,” calling for prayers for troops and allies. Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer decried the lack of congressional authorization and demanded immediate briefings, while Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) praised the strikes. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a critic of US intervention, called the strikes “unauthorized” and said he would attempt to force a congressional vote on the strikes with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA).

 

Precious Metals Rally Signals Rising Investor Anxiety

Gold and silver extended their blistering rally this week, with gold hovering at record highs around $5,000 dollars an ounce and silver breaking $100 dollars an ounce for the first time. The surge caps a multi-year climb that has propelled gold far beyond its pandemic-era peak near $2,000 dollars and pushed silver well past prior bull-market highs.

Analysts cite a cocktail of forces: persistent inflation above central bank targets, expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates, and mounting geopolitical frictions that have undermined confidence in major currencies. Heavy buying by central banks and private investors, along with supply strains in silver, has reinforced the move. The rush into precious metals signals broad concern about stagflation risks and a continuing shift toward perceived safe-haven assets in an uncertain global economy.

 

Winter Storm Paralyzes US Travel and Leaves Several Dead

A sprawling winter storm sweeping from Texas to New England has caused widespread power outages, severe travel disruptions and multiple deaths across the United States. Airlines canceled more than 10,000 flights as snow, sleet and freezing rain shut down major hubs and left runways coated in ice.

At least seven people have died in weather-related incidents across the US as authorities warned of continued hazardous conditions and advised citizens to remain indoors as much as possible and head to shelters if heating is not available.

  

Two Fatal Shootings by Federal Agents Ignite Minneapolis Fury

Federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis faced mounting scrutiny this weekend after the death of another US citizen an encounter with federal agents following large protests demanding the withdrawal of those forces from the city. Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, was shot and killed Saturday by a Border Patrol agent during what officials described as a “targeted operation” supporting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement action in a Minneapolis neighborhood. The Department of Homeland Security claimed Pretti approached agents while armed and resisted efforts to disarm him, prompting “defensive shots.” Videos circulated by witnesses appear to show agents tackling Pretti and removing his firearm before opening fire on him.

Earlier this month, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Reneé Good after agents confronted her in her car shortly after she dropped off her child at school. DHS officials claimed Good tried to “weaponize” her vehicle against an officer, a characterization disputed by state and local officials who cite video of the incident and have questioned whether the shooting was in self-defense.

Both deaths have fueled anger over Operation Metro Surge, a federal initiative that sent roughly 2,000 immigration and other federal agents into Minnesota, particularly the Twin Cities. Thousands of protestors joined a statewide “Day of Truth & Freedom” general strike and protests Friday, which continued through the weekend with vigils for Pretti and Good and marches demanding ICE’s removal from Minneapolis.

Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have condemned the federal crackdown as destabilizing and have urged President Trump to pull agents out of the state, while DHS and Border Patrol leaders have defended the operations and blamed “hostile” local conditions for recent confrontations.