The true tax reduction is reduction in government outlays

Source: Cobden Centre
by Dr. Frank Shostak

“Government uses various methods to divert wealth from wealth producers toward its activities. These methods include direct and indirect taxes and levies, monetary printing as a result of government borrowings from the central bank and borrowings from the private sector. The method of diverting wealth is of secondary importance. What matters here is that wealth is taken from wealth producers. The more that is taken, the higher the effective tax imposed on the wealth-generating private sector is going to be.” (04/28/26)

https://www.cobdencentre.org/2026/04/the-true-tax-reduction-is-reduction-in-government-outlays/

EU “ready” to sanction Israel over Russian vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain

Source: Euronews [EU]

“The European Union has warned Israel that it is ready to impose sanctions on those aiding and abetting the trade of Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia in the occupied territories, after a new ship loaded with the cereal arrived in the city of Haifa. ‘The EU has taken note of the reports that a Russian shadow fleet vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain has been allowed to unload at Haifa port in Israel, despite previous contacts of Ukraine with Israeli authorities on the subject,’ a European Commission spokesperson told Euronews. … The arrival of the Panama-flagged vessel in Haifa has escalated tensions between Ukraine and Israel. The vessel, named Panormitis and allegedly carrying over 6,200 tonnes of wheat and 19,000 tonnes of barley, has yet to unload. However, a shipment of stolen Ukrainian grain was allowed to proceed earlier this month.” (04/28/26)

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/04/28/eu-ready-to-sanction-israel-over-russian-vessel-carrying-stolen-ukrainian-grain

Supply Shocks Plus Inflation Bind the Fed’s Hands

Source: The Daily Economy
by Matthew Schaffer

“Energy-driven inflation and slowing growth have put the Fed in a difficult position. A look at monetary policy rules shows why holding rates steady may be the most prudent response.” (04/28/26)

https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/supply-shocks-plus-inflation-bind-the-feds-hands/

New lawsuit may finally bring Epstein files transparency

Source: USA Today
by Chris Brennan

“President Donald Trump’s televised tantrum during his April 26 interview with ’60 Minutes’ on CBS News – which aired a day after he was rushed from an event after it was crashed by a gunman – revealed the obvious fear he still holds about the Epstein files. Those more than 6 million documents potentially detail the life and crimes of his former friend, the now-dead registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. I think we’ll see more of that fear and more tantrums from Trump as the push for transparency with the Epstein files intensifies, since only about half of them have been released. Katie Phang, a former prosecutor who now works as an independent journalist, sued the Department of Justice on April 27, asking a federal judge to appoint a special master to review and release more Epstein files.” (04/28/26)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/04/28/trump-60-minutes-interview-epstein-files-lawsuit/89823645007/