🏛️ POLITICS
Story 1 of 7 (~2 min read)
Commerce Secretary Lutnick Testifies on Epstein Ties, Oversight Chair Says He "Wasn't 100% Truthful"
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared Wednesday before the House Oversight and Reform Committee in a closed-door deposition to answer questions about his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick told committee members he met Epstein only three times and said he could not recall why he and his family had lunch on Epstein's private island. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) told reporters before the deposition that Lutnick "wasn't 100% truthful" about his ties to Epstein. Democrats emerging from the session were sharply critical, with at least one calling Lutnick a "pathological liar" and calling on him to resign.
How it's being covered:
The Guardian reports that Democrats sharply criticized Lutnick's testimony, saying he was "dishonest" and should resign, and notes that Democrats claimed Trump would fire Lutnick if he saw video of the testimony. (link)
Fox News reports that Lutnick testified he met Epstein only three times and states that Democrats called him a "pathological liar," noting the commerce secretary declined to answer certain questions. (link)
Newsmax reports that Lutnick told committee members he "couldn't recall" why he and his family had lunch on Epstein's private island, and notes Comer said Lutnick "wasn't 100% truthful." (link)
Daily Wire reports that Oversight Chairman Comer made his "wasn't 100% truthful" remarks to reporters ahead of the deposition beginning, and notes Lutnick arrived on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning for the closed-door session. (link)
Story 2 of 7 (~2 min read)
Federal Judge Rules DOJ Can Keep 2020 Fulton County Ballots Seized by FBI
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Department of Justice can retain possession of thousands of 2020 election ballots and related materials seized by FBI agents from a Fulton County, Georgia warehouse in January. U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee, a Trump appointee, rejected Fulton County's request to have the original ballots and any electronic copies returned. County lawyers had argued the seizure was unlawful and that the materials should be returned because the seizure itself was improper.
How it's being covered:
The Guardian reports that Boulee's ruling allows the federal government to keep the ballots and notes that Fulton County, described as heavily Democratic, has been at the center of Trump's claims about the 2020 election. (link)
NY Post reports that Judge Boulee rejected Fulton County's request for the return of original copies of the seized material. (link)
Washington Examiner reports that the ruling terminated a lawsuit brought by county officials following a January election facility raid, and notes Boulee is a Trump appointee. (link)
Newsmax reports the ruling as "a victory for President Donald Trump's administration." (link)
Story 3 of 7 (~2 min read)
Trump Pushes Redistricting in South Carolina and Tennessee After Indiana Primary Wins
Following back-to-back redistricting victories — including a Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais — the Trump White House is pressing South Carolina lawmakers to redraw congressional district maps, according to reports. Tennessee Republicans released new maps Wednesday during a special legislative session that would eliminate the state's last Democratic congressional seat by splitting up Memphis. The moves are part of a broader effort to shore up House Speaker Mike Johnson's majority ahead of November midterms.
How it's being covered:
Axios reports that Trump's redistricting push has put Republican holdouts across the South "on notice," and notes Tennessee Republicans are expected to vote imminently on a map that would draw out Rep. Steve Cohen, the state's last House Democrat. (link)
Washington Examiner reports that the White House is pushing South Carolina lawmakers to redraw districts, and notes Trump is "riding high" after the Supreme Court's Louisiana ruling and Indiana primary victories. (link)
Daily Wire reports that Tennessee Republican lawmakers released new maps that would "wipe out the last Democratic congressional seat," and notes the maps came on the second day of a special session called by Governor Bill Lee. (link)
🌍 WORLD
Story 4 of 7 (~3 min read)
Iran Reviewing U.S. Peace Proposal as Trump Warns "Bombing Starts" Without Deal
On day 69 of the U.S.-Iran war, Tehran said it is reviewing a one-page memorandum of understanding delivered through Pakistani mediators, as Trump publicly stated the conflict would end "over quickly" if Iran agrees to the terms. Trump also threatened a resumption of bombing "at a much higher level and intensity" if no deal is reached, and the U.S. military fired on an Iranian-flagged oil tanker, disabling its rudder. Oil prices slid below $100 per barrel as markets responded to news of the potential deal, while China called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened "as soon as possible."
How it's being covered:
Axios reports that the White House is waiting for Iran's response to the MOU within 24–48 hours, and quotes a U.S. official: "We are not far, but there is no deal yet." (link)
BBC reports that Pakistan is "endeavouring to convert this ceasefire into a permanent end to this war," and notes that Trump has injected "a note of caution" into hopes for a deal. (link)
The Guardian reports that the U.S. military fired several rounds at an Iranian-flagged tanker and "disabled the tanker's rudder" shortly after Trump issued his ultimatum, and quotes Trump's social media post warning that the "Epic Fury" bombing campaign would resume if Iran refuses. (link)
Bloomberg reports oil slipped below $100 a barrel, extending an 8% slump from the prior session, as the U.S. and Iran weighed a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (link)
Zero Hedge reports that an Iranian oil official told the New York Times that "the fate of our refineries is now at risk," and notes the U.S. Navy fired on a tanker attempting to reach Iranian waters. (link)
Story 5 of 7 (~2 min read)
Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius: Ship En Route to Canary Islands, Three Deaths Reported
The luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, carrying nearly 150 passengers, departed the coast of Cape Verde Wednesday after a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to South America. At least three people have died, three others were medically evacuated — two of them seriously ill — and about 40 passengers, including the wife of one Dutch victim, departed during a stop at the British territory of St. Helena. Argentina is investigating a connection to the outbreak, believed to involve the Andes strain of hantavirus. Residents in the Canary Islands, where the ship is headed, expressed alarm.
How it's being covered:
BBC reports that a British man is among three evacuees sent to the Netherlands after displaying symptoms, and notes the ship is heading to the Canary Islands. (link)
NPR reports that about 40 passengers left the ship during its stop at St. Helena, including the wife of the Dutch man who died, according to the Dutch foreign ministry. (link)
MarketWatch reports that the Andes strain involved is described by experts as "a complicated public-health situation," and notes at least one person who departed the ship in late April has tested positive. (link)
Al Jazeera reports that Argentina is investigating a link to the outbreak and that three deaths have been reported in connection with South America-related hantavirus. (link)
NY Post reports that a local official in the Canary Islands said the ship's arrival is "bringing back flashbacks of the Covid-19 pandemic," and quotes an expert saying the outbreak could reshape how cruise lines screen passengers before boarding. (link)
Story 6 of 7 (~2 min read)
Israel Strikes Beirut for First Time Since Mid-April, Targets Senior Hezbollah Commander
Israel conducted airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs Wednesday in what the Israeli military described as a targeted assassination raid against a senior Hezbollah figure — the first strike on the Lebanese capital since mid-April. The U.S. State Department stated that Hezbollah is "trying to derail talks" with Israel. The strikes come as ongoing violence in Gaza also continued, with five Palestinians killed in separate Israeli strikes in a single day, and an Israeli soldier drew international attention after a photo showed him placing a cigarette in the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in southern Lebanon, prompting an Israeli military investigation.
How it's being covered:
BBC reports that Israel said it targeted a senior Hezbollah figure in Beirut, describing it as the first strike of its kind since mid-April, and notes the Lebanon ceasefire appears to have broken down. (link)
Al Jazeera reports that Israeli forces targeted Beirut's southern suburbs twice in one day, causing "extensive damage," and separately notes Israeli strikes killed five Palestinians across Gaza. (link)
Zero Hedge reports that Israeli officials described the Beirut action as a "targeted assassination of a top Hezbollah commander" and states "the Lebanon ceasefire seems definitively off." (link)
📈 MARKET SIGNALS
Story 7 of 7 (~2 min read)
Shell Profits Surge Nearly 25% as Iran War Drives Oil Volatility; Broader Markets Rally on Peace Hopes
Shell reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings Wednesday, with adjusted net income rising to $6.92 billion — up nearly a quarter — as the Iran war drove oil and gas prices higher and boosted the company's trading business. Separately, broader equity markets rallied and oil prices fell below $100 a barrel as traders awaited Iran's response to the U.S. peace framework. Axios reported that Q1 corporate earnings broadly exceeded expectations despite the economic uncertainty created by the conflict, with companies including Uber posting a 25% rise in bookings.
How it's being covered:
Bloomberg reports Shell's profit climbed on stronger-than-expected earnings as the Iran war boosted trading profits, noting adjusted net income rose to $6.92 billion. (link)
BBC reports Shell's profits jumped by nearly a quarter, describing it as the latest oil giant to see a profit surge "due to Iran war impact." (link)
The Guardian reports oil prices fell and stock markets rose as Trump signaled the Strait of Hormuz would be "open to all" if Iran accepts a deal, and notes California gas prices already exceed $6 per gallon with the last tanker from the Middle East having arrived this week. (link)
Axios reports that corporate earnings in Q1 have "dampened fears about the economy" despite Iran war-driven energy price rises, noting Uber, Disney, and CVS among Wednesday's strong performers. (link)
Zero Hedge reports that Japan is buying UAE oil while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, and that ADNOC plans to spend $55 billion on pipelines — noting the world is beginning to "build around Hormuz" for the long term. (link)
⚡ QUICK HITS
⚡ Ted Turner, CNN Founder, Dies at 87 — The media mogul who launched CNN in 1980 and pioneered 24-hour news died Wednesday at his home near Tallahassee, Florida; he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2018. (link) (link)
⚡ Epstein Purported Suicide Note Unsealed by Federal Judge — U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas released an undated, unsigned document allegedly found by Epstein's cellmate Nicholas Tartaglione tucked inside a graphic novel, containing lines such as "They investigated me for month — found NOTHING!!!" (link) (link) (link)
⚡ Rubio Arrives at Vatican to Meet Pope Leo Amid Trump-Pope Tensions — Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Rome for meetings with Pope Leo and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, days after Trump accused the pope of "endangering a lot of Catholics" with his stance on the Iran war; the Vatican confirmed the meeting was requested by the U.S. (link) (link) (link)
⚡ Federal Agents Arrest 18 in LA MacArthur Park Drug Crackdown — The Justice Department announced "Operation Free MacArthur Park," targeting what officials called an open-air fentanyl market in a densely populated immigrant neighborhood west of downtown Los Angeles, with an alleged "narco queen" among those taken into custody. (link) (link) (link)
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