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BREAKING. From Daily Mail: Trump's Iran war boasts shredded by leaked CIA dossier. From Common Dreams: Leaked CIA Analysis Shows Trump and Hegseth ‘Lied Through Their Teeth’ About Iran War, Says Murphy. White House officials “just straight up fabricated shit,” said the Democratic senator from Connecticut. [Ed: without diminishing the importance of this leak, I have no reason to believe Wapo over Trump. Just because something is leaked doesn't mean it is true. BUT neither does it mean the info is false. I just don't know.]

UK Local Elections. From the BBC: Early English council results show Reform gains and Labour losses as counting yet to begin in Scotland and Wales. [Ed: really no surprises. Reform looks to be the big winner. Starmer's party, the big loser. Results as of 2:30 a.m. EST]

From NBC News: Kamala Harris wants the DNC to release its autopsy report on the 2024 campaignAmid turmoil over the Democratic Party’s future, Harris has been privately sounding out confidants about her own prospects. [Ed: if she runs, this hands it to the Republicans.]

BREAKING. From CNBC: U.S. and Iran trade fire in Strait of Hormuz; each claims other shot first. From Military.com: Iran: US Forces Fled After Strait of Hormuz Missile Attack. "Nearly 20,000 mariners are reportedly trapped in the Gulf." From Newser: US, Iranian Strikes Erupt Near Strait of Hormuz. Central Command says US destroyers were fired on first. From Zero Hedge: US Conducts New Iran Strikes Along Hormuz Corridor - Trump Says Warships Came Under Fire By 'Lunatics'. "Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully... under fire."

From International Man: Doug Casey on the New Fed Chair and the Coming Inflation Wave

From the Laughing Squid: Dog’s Favorite Thing Is a Bottomless Red Bucket

From the Business Insider: Sam Altman Had a Bad Day In Court

Cuba. From FOX News: Dem representative admits to working with Mexico to sneak oil into Cuba, despite blockade. Conservative accounts accused the Washington Democrat of 'conspiring against the US' over her Cuba. [Ed: Pramila Jayapal of thesquad.] From Mediaite: House Democrat Reveals She’s Working With Other Countries to Get Oil to Cuba: ‘Russia Has Said…’ [Ed: I don't think Trump will let this pass unnoticed.Sounds like it might be a violation of the Logan Act.]

From the Babylon Bee: Democrats Clarify Everyone Is A Nazi Except The Guy With Nazi Tattoo. [Ed: meant to be satire but fairly dead-on.]

From KIRO News Radio: ‘Waste the money somewhere else’: Curley sounds alarm on federal ‘kill switch’ law that would let your car decide if you’re fit to drive. [Ed: starting in '27, all cars sold in the U.S. must have a kill switch.]

From Reason: Whatever Evidence the DOJ Has Against James Comey, It Cannot Transform '86 47' Into a Death Threat. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche implausibly claims prosecutors can prove Comey "knowingly and willfully" threatened to murder the president. [Ed: Agreed...unless they have undisclosed charges/evidence against him, I don't see that there's a case.] From Judge Napolitano: The Comey Indictment and Free Speech.

From Zero Hedge: $16M Hospice Fraud Exposed In Newsom's California As Trump Admin Ramps Up Crackdown. One doctor’s NPI linked to 17 hospices filing thousands of claims for just 900 patients

Louise Lucas. From FOX News: FBI raids Spanberger ally office as federal corruption probe targets cannabis business. Agents simultaneously searched a cannabis dispensary believed to be connected to the longtime state senator. [Ed: the details of the corruption charged are not clear to me, yet. BTW, the target is the 2nd most powerful Dem in Va. State Senate President Pro Tem L. Louise Lucas] From the New York Post: DOJ investigating woke, Soros-backed Virginia DA over ‘sweetheart’ deals given to illegal migrants. [Ed: the mystery, she is solved. She discriminated v. Americans and for illegal immigrants.]

Redistricting. From Greenville News: South Carolina legislature could extend session to redraw voting. [Ed: especially in the South, there is pressure to redistrict. Tenn's would eliminate one Dem. house seat.] From Townhall: Tennessee Redistricting Effort Advances in the Legislature As Chaos and Protests Engulf the Capitol [Ed: the bill has passed the house and should pass the senate today.]

From I Love My Dog So Much: Budweiser’s Super Bowl LX Ad Tells Quiet Story of Legacy, Protection, and American Symbols. [Ed: yeah. A tear jerker. But good tears. A good jerk...wait...]

Ukraine-Russia. From Meduza: Russia’s Foreign Ministry urges countries to evacuate diplomats from Kyiv ahead of May 9, warns of ‘retaliatory strike’. [Ed: Zelensky wants war. Russia will oblige.]

From Ken Klippenstein: Insane Pre-Crime Strategy Unveiled for Leftist “Extremists”. New national counterterrorism strategy vows to “cripple them before" crimes are committed. [Ed: ouch. Dangerous. And I don't mean the leftist extremists.]

From Milwaukee Mag.: Milwaukee Brewers Beloved Ballpark Pup Hank Has Died. The little guy wandered into the Brewers’ Arizona complex during spring training in 2014.

Tariffs. From Zero Hedge: Court Strikes Down Trump's Replacement Tariffs; A Minor, Temporary Setback, With Sec 301 Tariffs Coming. The US Court of International Trade's decision to invalidate President Donald Trump's latest set of universal tariffs is likely to be a temporary setback and a minor one. [Ed: well presented facts.] From CNBC: CEOs Want Tariff Refunds As Earnings Take a Hit

From Reuters: Israeli Strike Kills Son of Hamas Negotiator. It's 4th son of Khalil al-Hayya, key figure in Trump-brokered Gaza talks, to die in Israeli attack. [Ed: and people wonder why negotiation is so difficult.]

AI. From the AP: AI Company Sued Over Chatbots Allegedly Claiming to Be Licensed Doctors. [Ed: this is outright fraud.] From Gizmodo: Kevin O’Leary’s Massive Data Center Project in Utah Gets the Greenlight, Locals Are Furious. “The project would be more than twice the size of Manhattan and could consume more electricity than the entire state currently uses.” From The Soufan Center: Violent Threats and Data Center Resistance Accelerate Nvidia’s New Partnership Wants to Put Mini AI Data Centers on Your House Inc.

From Life With Dogs: Firefighter Helps Dogs Injured in VA Fire

From QTR Fringe Finance: New York Told Ken Griffin To Leave...And He Listened. Miami keeps winning by simply doing the impossible: not openly hating productive people. From Zero Hedge: Hochul Targets NYC's Multimillion-Dollar Second Homes In $268 Billion Budget Framework. How nice... "New York is taking direct aim at the city’s ultra-wealthy absentee owners."

UK LOCAL ELECTIONS BEING HELD TODAY. KEY SEATS UP FOR GRABS.

Cleaning Up Elections. From Judicial Watch: 6 Million Names Cleaned from Voter Rolls Thanks to Judicial Watch!. [Ed: the last Presidential election was probably the dirtiest, most corrupt I've ever seen. But, then, all elections are a corruption of society as far as I'm concerned.]

From K9: Puerto Vallarta Shelter Invites Tourists to Turn Holiday Visits into Lifesaving Dog Rescues

From the Property and Freedom Society: My Years with the Mises Institute. [Ed: by the irreplaceable Stephan Kinsella. A must read for those interested in movement history.] AND Mises Institute: Quo Vadis: Postscript. [Ed: postscript is to this essay Quo Vadis? I was not present at the described events but I can vouch for the integrity and dispassionate nature of the authors posted here. Oh...just FYI...I used to publish at Mises Wire every once in awhile but, since posting a link to Hoppe/Kinsella, I no longer receive so much as a reply to submissions. Persona non McElroy for posting a link?]

From the Washington Examiner: Supreme Court First Choice ruling crushes lawfare in win for First Amendment. "At first blush, First Choice may not seem that important..."

Ukraine-Russia. From antiwar: Russia & Ukraine Declare Ceasefires That Will Begin On Different Days. [Ed: Zelensky sabotages everything even vaguely to do with peace.] From Oliver Boyd Barrett: Oreshnik Days. [Ed: a must read.] From Euromaidan: Problem with Ukraine’s 25,000 combat robots isn’t hardware — it’s keeping them connected on battlefield.

From X: On the Greek island of Syros, there’s a special opportunity for people who adore cats to stay at no cost while helping care for the island’s many strays...

Trump & Wind Farms. From PBS: Why the Trump Administration Is Paying Billions to Abandon Wind Farms. From Tech Radar: Trump administration blocks 30GW of wind power citing national security – Department of Defense obstructing negotiations, meetings, and sign-offs in attempt to stall the ‘worst form of energy’.

From Lew Rockwell: Trump Brothers: Profiting from War. Modern merchants of death stand to make millions. [Ed: damn their souls to hell.]

From New Money Review: A phone grabber could drain your bank account in minutes. [Ed: a must read.]

Iran War. From the Future of Freedom Foundation: Trump’s War on Iran Is Not America’s War [Ed: by the excellent Jacob Hornberger.] From Reuters: Iran war live: Oil prices plunge after reports US and Iran close to agreeing one-page memo. [Ed: what to believe? Who to believe?] From Naked Capitalism: Iran War: Iran Pushes Back Against Trump “Deal Is Nigh” as More Evidence of US Failure Emerges, Including Gulf State Mini-Revolt, Even More US Base Destruction, Jet Fuel Price Rise Damage, Conservative Opposition to Trump Climbdown

Strait of Hormuz. From Sputnik: Over 22,000 People on More Than 1,550 Commercial Ships Trapped in Gulf – Pentagon. From Asia Times: The internet has a Strait of Hormuz problem. "Iranian state media circulating maps of the Gulf’s undersea cable routes in apparent threat to sever the global internet." From the Washington Times: Trump administration sows confusion as it tries to reopen Strait of Hormuz AND Shipping firms are being whipsawed by changing stances and risks as they wait for Hormuz to reopen

From the Straits Times: ‘Hero dog’ that rescued family during big Cebu quake rescued, recovering

Ilhan Omar. From the Post Millennial: Ilhan Omar fails to hand over communications with Feeding Our Future defendants to Minnesota lawmakers by May 5 deadline. "I think it shows disdain for Minnesota taxpayers that she’s unwilling to even answer these questions." From FOX News: Minnesota lawmakers fail at trying to get Omar to testify about alleged fraud, GOP leader talks next steps. State Rep Kristin Robbins says the failed subpoena vote will not stop efforts to investigate fraud or Omar's ties to it.

From I Heart Dogs: Guy Clutches Hostile Dog From Dumping Ground, Whispers ‘I Trust Him’

What Mamdani is Doing to NYC. From FOX News: Area Where Zohran Mamdani is Planning to Build Government-Owned Grocery Store Already Has 45 Markets Within Walking Distance. From CNBC: Ken Griffin: We will create jobs in Miami as a consequence of NYC Mayor Mamdani’s wealth tax video. [Ed: in video, Mamdani basically gave protestors/activists a map to Griffin's home.]

AI. From NBC: Pennsylvania suing AI company after chatbot allegedly posed as licensed doctor.

From Denver Post: Trump Administration Sues Colorado Over Gun Laws. State AG calls it 'dangerous overreach'. [Ed: suing over its ban on large-capacity ammunition magazines.] From the Epoch Times: Denver Leaders Reject Justice Department's Demand That City Repeal 'Assault Weapons' Ban. The DOJ sent a letter threatening to sue the city if it does not repeal the ban and declare it unconstitutional...

From CNN: Judge releases purported Jeffrey Epstein suicide note. [Ed: why now? It doesn't have any names that needed protecting.]

From You Tube: He finally found his stolen pitbull at a shelter.

From Zero Hedge: Israel Attacks Beirut For First Time In Nearly A Month: Assassination Raid. Netanyahu orders targeting a commander of Hezbollah's Radwan Force... [Ed: so much for the ceasefire.]

From Zero Hedge: Romanian Pro-EU Government Collapses After No-Confidence Vote, Currency Tumbles To Record Low. "Can anyone say how Romania will function from tomorrow, do ?you have a plan?" [Ed: see earlier newsfeeds for detailed background on this predicted development.]

From Dog Beast: Kittens Heal Dog’s Heart After She Loses Her Best Friend

Redistricting. From the Hill: Alito, Jackson spar as Supreme Court speeds up Louisiana redistricting judgment. [Ed: it is rare for judges to be so public in their criticisms of each other, but Jackson seems to be breaking with this tradition.] From the Spectator: The Democrats May Not Survive Callais Ruling. The Court moves to curb race-based districts — and the political fallout could be enormous. [Ed: if they do not control, it is an indication of how deeply manipulated the elections have been.]

OPEC & Oil. From BBC: United Arab Emirates to quit oil cartel Opec. [Ed: after 60 yrs of membership. Quite the shake up.] From the Council on Foreign Relations: Why the UAE Walked Out on OPEC—and What It Means for the Cartel. The Emirates had been weighing a break from the cartel for several years now. A war, a conflict in Yemen, and a collapsed partnership with Riyadh gave them their reason to act. Oil. From Zero Hedge: Trump's Project Freedom Likely Triggered By Oil Market's One-Month Countdown To Chaos. "...one month away from a potential "tipping point." Without a resolution, traders warn that global crude and refined-product stockpiles could be drawn down to dangerous levels, creating dire conditions for another violent leg higher in fuel prices that could spark economic chaos."

From the Week: Why are Elon Musk and Sam Altman clashing in court? A battle over the origins and future of OpenAI. "Musk is seeking $130 billion in damages and the removal of Altman from the company’s board of directors." [Ed: as much as anything, I expect this is a clash of egos. Not that legal issues do not exist as well.] From Zero Hedge: How A Musk Victory Vs. Altman Would Reset America's AI Roadmap. Musk co-founded OpenAI in late 2015 as a nonprofit and contributed roughly $38 million in its early years...

From Newser: Group Says It Has Enough Signatures for Vote on Leaving Canada. Convoy of trucks delivered names to Elections Alberta office. [Ed: Alberta has received a raw deal from Canada proper for decades. And Trump would love to snap up an independent oil=rich Alberta.]

From American Greatness: Welfare Enrollment Drops Sharply Following New Federal Work Requirements.

From K9: ‘I Found My Path in Life Because of This Dog’

From the Epoch Times: A Property Tax Rebellion Is Emerging In America. “People are tired of being taxed to death and seeing the money stolen,” [Ed: a salutary effect of the whole Somali scam?]

Germany. From Zero Hedge: Germany's Inflation Scapegoat: Why Hormuz Is A Convenient Cover Story. In Germany, signs of a sharp rise in inflation are multiplying. Naturally, the Hormuz crisis is to blame. It serves as a fig leaf for Germany’s highly inflationary transformation into a socialist shortage economy. [Ed: by Thomas Kolbe.] From the Financial Times: How Germany’s Merz torpedoed his plan to contain Trump. Swipe at US president appears to wipe out year-long effort to establish rapport. [Ed: I think Merz has pushed the relationship past the point of return--something that's easy to do with Trump.]

From the BBC: Police Scotland's 'top dog' retires after award-winning career

From the Post Millennial: JD Vance vows to fight Medicaid fraud in Ohio. "I’m directing the task force to look into it and take immediate action to prosecute any fraudsters involved and stop all further payments as appropriate." Medicaid fraud is rampant in the Columbus Somali community.

AI. From MarketWatch: Coinbase CEO: We're Cutting 14% of Staff Thanks to AI. CEO Brian Armstrong says AI efficiencies reduce the need for workers. [Ed: AI, like computers before it, will also create a great many jobs.] From CBC: Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac sues Google over alleged defamation. MacIsaac claims online giant defamed him by falsely IDing him as a sex offender in AI-generated summary.

From Quartz: Soon, No More Free Drink Refills at McDonald's. Chain to end self-serve soda stations across US by 2032 in move to cut costs.

From the Associated Press: Calif. Takes 'Major Enforcement Action' Against State Farm. Regulators allege widespread claim delays, underpayments after 2025 LA-area wildfires. [Ed: I hope this does not take attention away from State's wretched response...or lack thereof.]

Iran War. From Moon of Alabama: War On Iran: – “Project Freedom” A One-Off Stunt – Tightening UAE Blockade – China Counters U.S. Sanctions. [Ed: the war is definitely expanding in scope. Great.] From Son of the New American Revolution: All Indicators Signal that Trump Will Restart the War Against Iran This Week. [Ed: IMO, Trump will do one more massive bombing before declaring victory and going home.] UPDATE. From the Associated Press: Trump Says Hormuz Effort Has Been Paused. Rubio says 'Operation Epic Fury' has concluded. [Ed: does the next round of bombing now begin?] From Zero Hedge: Trump Pauses Project Freedom Amid "Great Progress" Towards 'Complete & Final' Agreement With Iran. [Ed: more detail on the pause and on the next stage of war.] From Naked Capitalism: Iran War: Trump “Pauses” Failed Operation Freedom, Rubio Claims End to Epic Fury With Strait of Hormuz Still Blockaded and Alarms About Real World Damage Rising.

From Zero Hedge: US Intelligence Only Sees Limited Additional Damage To Iran Nuclear Program Since Last June. [Ed: so, what was it about?]

Home Robots. From the Associated Press: From Roomba Pioneer, Your New Pet Robot Overlord. CEO of Familiar Machines & Magic aims to crack household market again with AI-powered robot. [Ed: I welcome the advent of home robots. This is a step in the correct direction...] From Zero Hedge: Figure CEO Says Humanoid Robots Could Soon Enter Homes For $600 A Month. "You can plug it into a wall outlet, and it'll go to its dock and charge. I want it to do the laundry every day..."

From Woman's World Hero Dog Saves Wisconsin Grandma and Baby From Flood.

Indiana and Ohio Primaries--Tests of Trump's Power. From CNN: Trump gets revenge, and other takeaways from Tuesday’s Indiana and Ohio primaries. [Ed: Trump's favored candidates win.] From NPR: Ohio and Indiana election results test Republican loyalty to Trump, Democratic enthusiasm. "Two very different decisions Republicans made about gerrymandering will be on display in Tuesday's primary contests in Indiana and Ohio."