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 My son has narrated the last book I wrote. Please consider listening to it and encouraging others to do so too. (Click HERE) World & Nation Federal Reserve Likely to Hold Rates, Widening Trump-Powell Rift  The Federal Reserve is expected to leave its short-term interest rate unchanged on Wednesday for the fifth straight meeting, a move that will likely underscore the deep divide between how Chair Jerome Powell and his chief critic, President Donald Trump, see the economy. The Fed itself, to be sure, is increasingly divided over its next steps, and many economists expect that two members of the Fed's governing board — both appointed by Trump — could dissent on Wednesday in favor of cutting rates. If so, that would be the first time two governors vote against the chair since 1993. Even so, the gap between the views of the Fed's interest-rate setting committee, chaired by Powell, and the White House is unusually large. In several areas, Trump's views sharply contrast with that of the Fed's leadership, setting up likely clashes for years to come, even after Powell's term as chair ends in May 2026. Florida Judge Suspended, Fined, And Reprimanded For Multiple Ethics Violations Violations include improper campaign activity, ex parte communications, and political contributions, prompting a 10-day suspension and a $2,115 fine.  The Supreme Court of Florida has imposed a 10-day suspension without pay, a $2,115 fine, and a public reprimand on Judge Stefanie C. Moon of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, following her admission to multiple violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The disciplinary action, outlined in a per curiam opinion issued on July 17, 2025, stems from inappropriate campaign activity, prohibited ex parte communication, and unlawful political contributions. The Court’s decision accepts a second amended stipulation and amended findings and recommendations of discipline agreed upon by Judge Moon and the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC). According to the Court's opinion, Judge Moon admitted to three distinct instances of misconduct. In one notable incident, she acknowledged asking an attorney, from the bench and while wearing her robe, why he had not returned her call about serving on her re-election committee. This interaction occurred immediately after the attorney completed a hearing before her, leaving him concerned about potential repercussions for his clients if he did not support her campaign. Secondly, Judge Moon admitted to engaging in prohibited ex parte communication by contacting the mental health therapist of a party involved in a divorce case pending before her. Trump: Not Seeking Summit With Xi, but May Visit China  President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was not seeking a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but added that he may visit China at Xi's invitation, which Trump said had been extended. "I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!," Trump said on Truth Social.
Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell plays model inmate as she seeks path out of prison Former Epstein accomplice offers legal advice to fellow inmates and avoids trouble as her team appeals to Supreme Court  As Jeffrey Epstein’s most notorious accomplice and former girlfriend is angling to have her criminal conviction dropped, a look at Ghislaine Maxwell’s life behind bars could offer clues about her motivations outside of prison. Maxwell has reportedly rebranded herself while serving out her two-decades-long sentence for her involvement in Epstein’s sex crimes. "I did a double take, because I recognized her face immediately from the news," Jessica Watkins, a former Oath Keeper who was imprisoned in the same low-security Florida facility as Maxwell, told the Daily Mail. "I was like, ‘Is that who I think it is?’" Watkins was initially sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for her involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Her sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office earlier this year. Washington Post Admits: 'No Evidence' Trump Tied to Epstein Scandal  As the political firestorm surrounding the late Jeffrey Epstein reignites, a recent report by The Washington Post finds that there is "no public evidence of any wrongdoing on [President Donald] Trump's part." Despite that key finding, questions from lawmakers and media figures have dominated headlines in recent weeks about who was really involved with Epstein, the wealthy financier and convicted sex offender who died in a Manhattan jail in 2019. The controversy took a new turn earlier this month when Attorney General Pam Bondi's Justice Department issued a statement saying it had completed its review of the Epstein case and had "no further documents to release." The Post's findings support Trump's own assertions. Jasmine Crockett allegedly tried 'shutting down' Atlantic piece after reporter contacted other Democrats An anonymous Democratic staffer called the Texas congresswoman a 'loose cannon' who can 'cause headaches' for others  Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, allegedly told The Atlantic she was "shutting down" its profile of her after learning the author had reached out to other Democrats without telling her. Staff writer Elaine Godfrey described in an article on Sunday that Crockett called her four days before the piece was published "to express frustration that I had reached out to so many House members without telling her first." "She was, she told me, ‘shutting down the profile and revoking all permissions,’" Godfrey wrote. Crockett reportedly hoping to shut down a piece because Godfrey reached out to other Democrats was roundly mocked by reporters for not understanding basic journalism. "That is not how any of this works," NBC News political reporter Sahil Kapur wrote. China may gain greater control of Panama Canal after BlackRock deal misses deadline President Donald Trump previously warned about Chinese influence over the strategic waterway that the US completed in 1914  China may soon gain greater influence over the Panama Canal following the collapse of a proposed deal between U.S.-based BlackRock and Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison, which had initially sparked tensions with Beijing. The original agreement would have transferred control of dozens of international ports — including two in Panama — to a consortium involving BlackRock. The deal was reportedly welcomed by former President Donald Trump, who voiced support for reducing Chinese influence over the canal and even floated the idea of the U.S. "taking back" the strategic waterway. However, Beijing pushed back. China advocated for state-owned shipping giant Cosco to be included in the transaction, signaling its desire for a direct stake, not just an indirect one through the Hong Kong-based Hutchison, in the canal’s operations. Illegal immigrant caught working as police officer in Maine while attempting to buy firearm  US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested a Jamaican national for allegedly attempting to purchase a firearm illegally while employed as a reserve police officer in Old Orchard Beach. According to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Boston, Jon Luke Evans was taken into custody with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after his firearm purchase attempt raised concerns tied to his immigration status on July 25 in Biddeford. Federal authorities say Evans legally entered the United States through Miami International Airport on Sept. 24, 2023, under a visa that required his departure by Oct. 1, 2023. He failed to leave as required and has remained in the country unlawfully since. Buttigieg DOT ignored safety issues to build dozens of windmill projects near highways, railroads  The Department of Transportation under then-Secretary Pete Buttigieg brushed aside safety concerns to approve dozens of windmill projects near America’s highways and railroads — despite acknowledging potential hazards, The Post has learned. At least 33 safety recommendations to place wind turbines well clear of the critical infrastructure were overruled in 2023 and 2024, according to a current department official, permitting the projects to be built close enough to possibly interfere with vital radio communications. In March 2023, for example, the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications Information Administration informed an Illinois wind farm seeking regulatory approval that “the turbine locations that fall within the one-to-three-mile boundary of these rails may be problematic for train communications in this area and present an undue risk.” Kremlin 'Noted' Trump's Shorter Deadline for Ceasefire in Ukraine  The Kremlin said on Tuesday that it had "taken note" of a statement by President Donald Trump that he was shortening his deadline for Moscow to sign up to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face sanctions. Trump set a new deadline on Monday of 10 or 12 days for Russia to make progress toward ending the war in Ukraine or face consequences, underscoring frustration with President Vladimir Putin over the 3-1/2-year-old conflict. Asked about Trump's statement on Tuesday during a conference call with reporters, the Kremlin kept its remarks short.
Israeli Strikes Kill at Least 34 People in Gaza  Israeli strikes killed at least 34 Palestinians in multiple locations across Gaza on Monday, local health officials said, a day after Israel eased aid restrictions in the face of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory. Israel announced Sunday that the military would pause operations in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi for 10 hours a day until further notice to allow for the improved flow of aid to Palestinians in Gaza, where concern over hunger has grown, and designate secure routes for aid delivery. Israel said it would continue military operations alongside the new humanitarian measures. The Israeli military had no immediate comment about the latest strikes, which occurred outside the time frame for the pause Israel declared would be held between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m
Trump’s trade wins shock the experts — who are blind to business reality If America is in the midst of a trade war, the question we have to ask is: Are we tired of winning yet? President “Donald Trump reaps $50bn tariff haul as world ‘chickens out,’” reads the Financial Times headline. “Only China and Canada have retaliated against US president’s tariff war,” its subhead adds. “In the Trump-dominated global economy, the US gets plenty but gives nothing in return,” reads a rueful post on X from Axios — another publication with an upmarket readership — promoting an article titled, “Trump trade deals prove access to the US still matters above all else.” Populist publications have a different take on Trump’s spate of trade victories. To end food shortages in Gaza, the world should unite to end . . . Hamas The plight of Gazan civilians lacking enough food has made headlines, but make no mistake: Whatever hunger exists in Gaza is Hamas’ fault — and the way to address it is to end Hamas. And thus, the war. Claims of “mass starvation,” of course, are utter baloney. They’re based by all sorts of falsehoods, including, most recently, lurid, upsetting photos of supposedly sick, malnourished kids, whose protruding bones make them look like Nazi concentration-camp prisoners. Numerous publications published one particularly disturbing photo, of a boy named Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, to show the effects of “widespread hunger.” |
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