“Australia’s central bank on Tuesday raised its policy rate to 4.35%, matching its December 2024 peak, as inflation remains elevated. The move by the Reserve Bank of Australia was in line with expectations in a Reuters poll of economists and marked its third consecutive rate increase. Eight members of the board voted for the hike, while one voted to hold rates at 4.1%. In its statement, the RBA said inflation had picked up materially in the second half of 2025, with conflict in the Middle East pushing up fuel and commodity prices.” (05/05/26)
“FBI Director Kash Patel said he found the agency’s ‘burn bag’ room full of sensitive documents tied to the ‘Russiagate’ investigation, but nobody was able to get inside at first — in fact, the room wasn’t on the building map at all. Patel appeared on Tuesday’s episode of ‘Hang Out with Sean Hannity’ and referenced a previous discussion on the podcast in which former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino talked about the same room. More than one ‘burn bag’, which is ‘a large paper bag that you use to destroy and literally shred and burn classified information’, was found inside this secret room ‘locked away in FBI headquarters,’ Patel said. ‘They weren’t burned, but the room was also off the map. It wasn’t on our blueprint, and nobody had access to it.'” (05/05/26)
“The U.S. military said it launched another strike on a boat accused of ferrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea, [murdering] two people Monday. The Trump administration’s campaign of blowing up alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has persisted since early September and [murdered] at least 188 people in total. Other strikes have taken place in the eastern Pacific Ocean.” (05/05/26)
“Europe and the United States have more important things to do than waste time on tariff threats, French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced higher duties on European vehicles. Trump said on Friday that he would increase the tariffs charged on cars and trucks from the European Union this week to 25%, a move that could further harm the global economy as it reels from war in the Middle East. ‘Especially in the geopolitical period we are experiencing, allies like the United States of America and the European Union have much better things to do than to stir up threats of destabilization,’ Macron told reporters in Armenia. ‘For our businesses, our households, our populations, we should rather send a message of stability and confidence.’ He added that he hoped ‘reason will prevail soon.'” (05/05/26)
“A woman was shot and killed after allegedly breaking into a home in North Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, according to police. Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace said preliminary information indicates the woman entered the home through a back window on the 2300 block of North Cleveland Street. Residents inside told her to leave, but she did not comply and was shot multiple times, police said. ‘It appears that this is a case of a person defending oneself inside their own home,’ Inspector Pace said.” (05/04/26)
“The U.S. and Iran launched new attacks in the Gulf on Monday as they wrestled for control over the Strait of Hormuz with duelling maritime blockades, shaking a fragile truce. The fresh volleys of missiles and drones came after U.S. President Donald Trump launched a new effort to get stranded tankers and other ships through the strait, the vital energy-trade chokepoint that has been virtually closed since the U.S. and Israel began attacks on Iran in February, a war that has killed thousands of people across the region. Before Monday was out, several merchant ships in the Gulf reported explosions or fires, the U.S. said it had destroyed six small Iranian military boats, and an oil port in the United Arab Emirates, which hosts a large U.S. military base, was set ablaze by Iranian missiles.” (05/04/26)
“Alberta separatists said Monday they have formally submitted almost 302,000 signatures to try to trigger a referendum on the province leaving Canada. The group needed 178,000 signatures to force the province to consider such a vote. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said if the petition is verified, there will be a referendum. Smith has said she personally does not support the oil-rich province leaving Canada. … the petition could face another hurdle this week as an Edmonton, Alberta judge is expected to rule on a court challenge launched by a group of Alberta First Nations who say Alberta separation would violate treaty rights.” (05/04/26)
“Justice Samuel Alito on Monday temporarily halted an appellate court order that blocked a Food and Drug Administration rule allowing the abortion pill mifepristone to be prescribed online and dispensed through the mail. Alito granted temporary relief to the maker of mifepristone, Danco Laboratories, and the manufacturer of a generic version of the drug, GenBioPro. His administrative stay will remain in place until 5 p.m. on May 11. The move gives the Supreme Court more time to consider the drug companies’ requests to set aside the appellate court’s order while litigation proceeds.” (05/04/26)
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has celebrated what he called ‘a spectacular mandate’ given to his ruling Hindu nationalist BJP. West Bengal had been an opposition stronghold, but the BJP is now poised to govern the state for the first time. Partial results released by the Election Commission of India showed the BJP ahead in at least 190 seats in the 294-member state legislature. … Actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, is set to win Tamil Nadu’s 2026 Assembly elections, signaling a significant political shift in the state With the majority of votes counted, the TVK is well ahead of the incumbent DMK and the BJP-supported AIDMK — both alliances made up of established parties.” (05/04/26)
“Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a two-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine to observe the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The ceasefire would run Friday and Saturday, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered with his own proposed pause in fighting starting earlier, on the night of May 5‑6. … Russia celebrates victory in World War Two on May 9, a major national holiday marking the day the Soviet Union signed Germany’s surrender in 1945. It traditionally holds a military parade, but says this year’s commemoration will feature none of the military hardware frequently put on display at past commemorations because of the threat of increased Ukrainian ‘terrorist’ activity. … Authorities cut off mobile internet services to many customers in Moscow on Tuesday ahead of the parade.” (05/04/26)
