US Politics
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order establishing “ICE-free zones” on city-owned property and unwilling private businesses, prohibiting their use as staging grounds for federal immigration enforcement operations. The move, dubbed the “Protecting Chicago Initiative,” came amid Johnson’s rejection of President Trump’s National Guard deployment plan. Johnson accused the Trump administration of waging a “war on Chicago” and disregarding local authority, while invoking inflammatory rhetoric by claiming the “extreme right” seeks a “Civil War rematch.” He directed city agencies to identify and mark targeted spaces within five days, vowing legal action if federal agents violate the order, with Governor JB Pritzker supporting the resistance by filing a lawsuit and labeling the deployments an “outrageous and unamerican” invasion.
President Trump indicated openness to invoking the Insurrection Act to address urban riots and protect ICE personnel, particularly if courts or local leaders (such as Mayor Johnson in Chicago) obstruct federal efforts. He described cities such as Portland as chaotic and stated that the law’s purpose includes preventing deaths, while aides noted reported declines in crime rates in areas with reinforcements, such as Washington, D.C. Opponents, including state governors, have condemned the potential invocation as an overreach that could militarize domestic policing and infringe on local authority.
A federal judge in Illinois denied a restraining order sought by Governor JB Pritzker, allowing National Guard deployment to Chicago under federal authority to secure properties and support ICE amid protests. Pritzker described the move as an unconstitutional invasion, while similar deployments in Oregon have been blocked by a judge in that state. Local leaders in affected cities have criticized the deployments as escalatory and unnecessary for maintaining order.
In response, Texas National Guard units have been deployed to Chicago and Portland to assist ICE operations and safeguard federal assets against unrest, with Governor Greg Abbott describing it as enforcement of national laws. Critics from city officials argue the action represents federal overreach and risks heightening tensions without addressing root causes.
Meanwhile, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem disclosed intelligence reports of organized attacks against ICE agents, including alleged $2,000 bounties for kidnappings and $10,000 for killings, with agents’ photos reportedly circulated in networks. Officials stated that protective measures have been implemented, altering operations to prioritize safety amid reported threats. Skeptics, including civil rights groups, have called for more evidence to substantiate the claims of organized bounties, suggesting possible exaggeration.
Charlie Kirk
Candace Owens released a screenshot from a group chat in which Charlie Kirk reportedly stated his intent to abandon the pro-Israel cause due to donor pressures over associations, just days before Kirk’s assassination. The chat reportedly included figures such as Rob McCoy and Josh Hammer, highlighting internal tensions within conservative circles according to Owens. Kirk’s team and some participants have disputed the screenshot’s context, denying it reflected a firm abandonment of his stance.
Economy
Morgan Stanley has reportedly recommended shifting from the traditional 60/40 stock-bond portfolio to a 60/20/20 allocation that includes gold, citing bonds’ reduced effectiveness as a hedge due to persistent inflation and rising global debt. Analysts at the firm suggested this adjustment highlights gold’s potential stabilizing role, particularly amid reported stresses in precious metals supply dynamics. Some financial observers, however, view the shift as potentially overstated in response to short-term volatility, with other major firms maintaining traditional allocations.
Concerns have been raised about a potential AI investment bubble, with some analysts drawing parallels to the 1990s dot-com era, where vendor financing allegedly creates circular demand as companies raise capital for capital expenditures that boost suppliers’ revenues and justify further funding. Nvidia has projected $46.7 billion in data center revenue for fiscal 2026, while deals such as Oracle’s reported $18 billion bond sale for AI cloud capacity illustrate interconnected investments. Risks cited by observers include power constraints and high debt levels among key players. Proponents of the sector counter that robust demand from major tech firms supports sustainable growth, distinguishing it from past bubbles.
Meanwhile, BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners is advancing toward a reported $40 billion acquisition of Aligned Data Centers, which could be among the largest deals in the sector, driven by demand for AI infrastructure. The transaction reportedly involves investors such as Mubadala on both sides and is said to reflect the need for trillions in investments for data centers, power, and fiber to support AI computing growth, with similar activity reported from firms including Blackstone and DigitalBridge. Industry analysts have raised questions about the long-term sustainability of such large-scale deals amid growing competition and regulatory hurdles.
Energy
Jeff Bezos predicted that gigawatt-scale data centers could be built in orbit within 10 to 20 years, powered by constant solar energy without weather interference and potentially exceeding the efficiency of Earth-based facilities. He likened the current AI boom to the dot-com era, describing it as an industrial bubble that could foster long-term innovation despite challenges such as high launch costs and maintenance issues. Skeptics in the tech community question the near-term feasibility, citing substantial technical and economic barriers to space-based infrastructure.
Geopolitics
President Trump reiterated threats to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities if its program resumes, referencing past U.S. strikes that reportedly hit all targets using B-2 bombers and Tomahawks. He claimed Iran was nearing a nuclear weapon before those attacks and warned of quicker action this time, amid U.S. demands for negotiations to limit enrichment and missiles, which Iranian leaders have rejected as infringing on national pride. Iranian officials have dismissed the threats as provocative, reaffirming their commitment to a civilian nuclear program and rejecting coercive diplomacy.
Health
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its recommendations to advise against combining the chickenpox vaccine with the MMR shot for toddlers and to rescind universal COVID-19 boosters for adults. Officials stated that these changes reflect adjustments in vaccination strategies under new leadership. Critics have expressed concerns that the revisions could reduce vaccination rates and increase disease risks, contrary to prior scientific consensus.
The UK’s National Health Service issued an apology for guidelines that mentioned potential benefits of first-cousin marriages, including extended family support and economic advantages, while noting increased genetic risks such as birth defects rising from 2-3% in the general population to 4-6% in such unions. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the advice as high-risk and unsafe, leading to its removal following public criticism. Studies have indicated higher rates of conditions including deafness, thalassemia, and congenital heart disease in children from these marriages, with rates of such unions reportedly elevated in certain UK communities, including those of Pakistani descent. However, NHS England clarified that the guidelines aimed to provide information and genetic counseling support to affected communities rather than endorse the practice, amid defenses from some outlets emphasizing cultural context.
Sources
UK NHS Apologizes for Guidelines Endorsing First-Cousin Marriages Despite Genetic Risks
The United Kingdom has fallen.
Source | Submitted by Rodster
Morgan Stanley’s Golden Pivot: Cracking the 60/40 Portfolio
After decades of worshiping at the altar of 60/40 (stocks/bonds), they shifted to 60/20/20 (stocks/bonds/gold).
Source | Submitted by Gamma Geek
BlackRock’s GIP Nears Record $40 Billion Data Center Megadeal
GIP nears $40 billion deal for Aligned Data Centers.
Source (Paywalled) | Submitted by Barry Silverthorn
DHS Secretary Noem Exposes $10K Bounties on ICE Agents in Escalating Organized Attacks
We have specific officers and agents that have bounties that have been put out on their heads. It’s been $2,000 to kidnap them, $10,000 to kill them.
Source | Submitted by bcoop
CDC Shifts Stance: Separate Vaccines for Toddlers, No More Universal COVID Boosters for Adults
SANITY IS BACK.
AI Bubble Alert: Vendor Financing Echoes Dot-Com Déjà Vu
“Vendor financing with cash from operations is one thing, vendor financing with cash from debt is something totally different.”
Bezos Envisions Gigawatt Data Centers in Orbit, Sees AI Boom as Dot-Com Redux
“We’re going to start building these giant gigawatt data centers in space,”
Trump Renews Bombing Threats Against Iran: “We’re Not Going to Wait So Long”
“We’re not going to wait so long.”
Trump Open to Invoking Insurrection Act to Curb Urban Riots and Protect ICE
“We have an Insurrection Act for a reason.”
Federal Judge Denies Restraining Order, Clearing Path for National Guard in Chicago
Illinois U.S. District Court Judge April Perry has DENIED issuing an immediate restraining order to block the Trump administration from sending in National Guard troops to Chicago.
Candace Owens Leaks Group Chat: Charlie Kirk Abandons Pro-Israel Stance Days Before Assassination
I cannot and will not be bullied like this, leaving me no choice but to leave the pro-Israel cause.
Texas National Guard Deploys to Chicago and Portland to Bolster ICE Operations
The Texas National Guard is being deployed NATIONWIDE to Chicago and Portland, assisting ICE officials and securing federal property against rebellion.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: The Guardian, NHS England, The Washington Post, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Financial Times, BlackRock, Reuters, Bloomberg, Nvidia, ACLU, Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Charlie Kirk’s team, Josh Hammer, The Verge, Elon Musk, Al Jazeera, and the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
by davefairtex 
