• US Envoy Witkoff said mediators will continue their work, and he hopes talks will be constructive and promising.
• However, US sources told Al Hadath that the chance of a deal is limited and major disputes and obstacles remain.
• US equity futures give back earlier gains as focus turns to the Trump-Xi meeting.
• DXY bids higher despite lower energy prices; EUR little moved following broadly stronger PMI metrics.
• Fixed income benchmarks trade rangebound, as energy lacks a clear

...who needs math anyway when you have Claude?

...dispersion was the story of the stock market today (LO & HFs better sellers today) as oil dropped on Hormuz hopes...

Even safe lefty establishment comics are now being erased...

After eight consecutive years of declining scores, the 2025 EIU Democracy Index showed a stabilization of democracy around the world...

According to Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, the country’s special economic boom triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already faded. 

For the 17th consecutive time, the World Economic Forum has named Iceland the most gender-equal country in the world.

Diplomats and officials cited by western media have referred to the disarmament plan as 'ambitious' and 'extremely precarious'

• US President Trump said he thinks a settlement will be reached with Iran, and noted that some US-Iran communication has taken place even today and that the relationship with Iran is developing.
• US President Trump said envoys Witkoff and Kushner met with Iran mediators and that there were lots of good thoughts. Trump later commented that he thinks Iran will do something good.
• Trump also warned that they may have to blow up Pickaxe Mountain and that they will attack if they see activity.

"a new type of weapon"

...despite his achievements (or perhaps due to them), he has been reviled and attacked by the Left as either treasonous or insane or cruel or whatever...

"The only conceivable path back to parity with China in weapons production requires the development of a globally competitive American civilian electronics industry that we can turn over to war production if the need arises." 

Pacing is apparently a team sport...

Surface-level appearances suggest continuity, even prosperity. Yet beneath this maintained facade, data streams flowing from Treasury servers, credit bureaus, and trading floors tell a markedly different story...

Gen Z is increasingly trading the nation’s most expensive metro for its cheaper neighbor...

The US and France seem to be coordinating a concerted pressure operation against India.

The NYPD recorded a 47% dismissal rate compared with roughly 13% for the Department of Buildings...

"The Joint Warfighter Evaluation ensures our flag is carried by our most lethal and most adaptable leaders," Secretary of War Hegseth said...

That's kind of a lot...