Four dudes with Somali names plead guilty to bilking Medicaid under company called ‘Brilliant Minds’

Four Twin Cities men pleaded guilty to defrauding Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Services program out of approximately $2.2 million and hiding the scheme by using artificial intelligence tools […]

Zoh’s slanderous Bibi remarks: Letters to the Editor — July 25, 2026

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should sue Mayor Mamdani for defamation.

Priceless: Elon Busts Left on How Extreme They Have Become

Every 'Revolution of the Proletariat' Needs a Kerensky to Pave the Way for a Lenin

One economic concept reveals the true cost of Trump’s war: Nobel economist

One basic economic concept makes it clear that the true cost of President Donald Trump’s war with Iran extends far beyond the price of oil, and that the hidden inflation could result in “economic catastrophe.” This is according to Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, who on Friday explained why the economic damage of the ongoing war hinges on more than the price of oil barrels.“Yesterday,” writes Krugman, “Trump declared that the Iran war is going ‘better than anybody expected could be done.’ He’s delusional, of course. And his delusions are the reason the price of oil is back at around $100 a barrel, and — as I’ll explain shortly — the effective price is much higher than that.”Krugam asserts that while the economic impacts of the first phase of the war were relatively slight, eased by the world offsetting its oil needs by drawing down inventories, rerouting oil through the Red Sea, and other measures, “the second Hormuz closure could be worse, for several reasons. Iran’s Houthi allies are now attacking shipping in the Red Sea, threatening that safety valve. Also, inventories are now much lower than they were when the conflict began, and can’t serve as a cushion going forward.”“Perhaps the most important thing to realize about the current situation, however, is that oil is more expensive than it looks.” As Krugam explains, “Nobody burns crude oil. Oil must be refined into usable fuels, mainly gasoline and diesel. And there’s a global shortage of refining capacity. This partly reflects the war in Iran, but it also reflects Ukraine’s stunningly effective campaign against Vladimir Putin’s energy infrastructure.”While the refining capacity shortage has helped keep crude prices down — “why buy crude when you can’t refine it?” — Krugman asserts that “it means that prices of petroleum products to end users are much higher than one would have expected given the price of crude. The overall ‘crack spread’ — the difference in price between a barrel of crude oil and the price of the products into which that barrel is refined — has exploded, from around $25 a barrel before the war to more than $65 now.”In this context, “from the point of view of end users, this is the same as if crude prices had risen an extra $40 per barrel. In effect, the world is coping with the equivalent of $140 oil even though the headline price is ‘only’ around $100.” Krugman says that while it doesn’t necessarily guarantee “economic catastrophe,” it still could be on the way. “Last month’s easing in the inflation rate now looks temporary,” writes Krugman. “With energy prices surging again — not to mention the inflationary impact of Trump’s new round of tariffs, imposed using the ludicrous excuse that nations aren’t doing enough to stop forced labor — interest rates will almost surely rise, intensifying the squeeze on families and businesses. Long-term rates, reflecting expected future Fed hikes, are already way up.”“Things could be worse,” Krugman concludes, “and they may be about to get worse. The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump is in ‘revenge mode,’ and the U.S. military is surging forces into the Middle East. And if Trump doubles down on failure, drastically escalating his disastrous war, the economic, not to mention human, impacts will get much uglier.”

Ken Paxton Runs Away When Asked About His Alleged Voting Fraud

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is literally running away from accusations of voter fraud. A bombshell report earlier this month exposed Paxton for allegedly voting in six elections while registered at an address where he does not live. On Friday, while entering the Ronald Reagan Republican Center in Washington, D.C., Paxton was asked point-blank whether he had committed voter fraud. Rather than face the music, the attorney general raced inside.Q: Mr Paxton, did you commit voter fraud?KEN PAXTON: *walks away*(This is at least the third time just this week he's literally run away from questions of this sort) pic.twitter.com/HZWvR9w1y5— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 24, 2026This isn’t the first time Paxton has run from questions about his alleged voter fraud. Earlier this week, Paxton fled a press conference when faced with tough questions, earning him the nickname “No Comment Ken.”“This is at least the third time just this week he’s literally run away from questions of this sort,” journalist Aaron Rupar wrote on X. In another tough moment on Thursday, Paxton refused to answer whether he was ready to debate James Talarico, the Democratic Texas Senate candidate, who has publicly accused his opponent of voter fraud. This form of voter fraud is a second-degree felony punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and up to 20 years in prison. Paxton, a fierce ally of President Donald Trump, has previously advocated for cracking down on voter fraud, while also threatening to disenfranchise Democratic voters.

WATCH: Trump DOJ vows to pursue ‘every single’ voting violation after NJ roll shocker

Harmeet Dhillon says DOJ will prosecute every illegal vote found, citing a "broken windows" strategy after New Jersey's noncitizen voter rolls bombshell.

Secret Service offers glimpse into WHCA Dinner security after alleged Trump assassination attempt

The Secret Service reveals enhanced security for the rescheduled WHCA Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, including magnetometer screening and closures.