US weekly jobless claims increase moderately, labor market remains stable

Source: Reuters

“The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits increased moderately last week, pointing to ​a stable labor market even as ‌rising energy prices from the war with Iran drive up inflation. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 12,000 ​to a seasonally adjusted 211,000 for the ​week ended May 9, the Labor Department ⁠said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters ​had forecast 205,000 claims for the latest ​week. … The government reported ​on Wednesday that producer prices recorded their biggest increase in ‌four ⁠years in April. There are concerns that shortages and rising inflation could cause layoffs in some industries.” (05/13/26)

https://www.reuters.com/business/us-weekly-jobless-claims-increase-moderately-labor-market-remains-stable-2026-05-14/

Thomas L. Knapp

When Businesspeople Run Government, the Government Doesn’t Become a Business

Source: Reason
by Veronique de Rugy

“Central planning from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump, and others reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes private markets work.” (05/14/26)

https://reason.com/2026/05/14/when-businesspeople-run-government-the-government-doesnt-become-a-business/

Thomas L. Knapp

We Need a Department of Peace, Not $1.5 Trillion for More War

Source: Common Dreams
by Robert C Koehler

“It’s hard to avoid noticing, and internally screaming over, the Trump administration’s proposed military budget upgrade to $1.5 trillion annually, as though the present trillion-dollar annual gift to the end of the world weren’t enough. It’s not just the proposed taxpayer bleed. It’s the collective assumption that ‘self-defense’ requires an ever-present readiness to kill lots of people, and beyond that the utter certainty that we have soulless enemies out there who want what we have, hate our freedoms, and will take what they can the moment we relax. This is just the way it is. No questions allowed. And our enemies aren’t pussycats. One of them, for instance, is China. … Nothing holds a country together like a good enemy.” (05/14/26)

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/department-of-peace

Steve Trinward

Federal judge blocks US sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese

Source: Al Jazeera [Qatari state media]

“A federal judge has temporarily ⁠blocked United States sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a United Nations expert on the occupied Palestinian territory. UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese was sanctioned in July 2025 after she publicly criticised Washington’s policy on Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza. Albanese’s husband and daughter filed a lawsuit in February against the Trump administration over the sanctions. It argued that the sanctions were an effort to punish Albanese for bringing attention to Israel’s rights abuses against Palestinians. In his court order on Wednesday, US ⁠District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction against the sanctions. He found that the Trump administration sought to regulate ‌her speech because of the ‘idea or message expressed.'” (05/14/26)

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/14/federal-judge-blocks-us-sanctions-against-un-rapporteur-francesca-albanese

Thomas L. Knapp

ME: Vance set to speak about fraud investigations ahead of primary election

Source: Los Angeles Daily News

“Vice President JD Vance is slated to make an appearance in Maine on Thursday to highlight the Trump administration’s efforts to combat fraud ahead of the state’s primary elections for several high-profile races. Vance, who chairs the administration’s anti-fraud task force, is scheduled to deliver remarks at Bangor International Airport, the White House and the Maine Republican Party announced. The vice president, who is seen as a potential GOP candidate for president in 2028, has been promoting the work of the task force as he has campaigned for Republican candidates in recent months. But Thursday’s visit is the first that has been expressly billed as a stop to talk about the fraud-fighting efforts rather than the economic-focused message he’s delivered in other visits.” (05/14/26)

https://www.dailynews.com/2026/05/14/jd-vance-maine-fraud-investigations/

Steve Trinward