Shutdown Could Drag for Weeks as Markets Bet Against Swift Deal

October 7, 2025

United States Capitol Building (Ian Hutchinson /Unsplash)

Prediction markets are signaling that the federal government shutdown is likely to last for weeks, not days. Traders are placing millions in bets that negotiations in Washington will remain stalled, with no immediate resolution in sight. As the political standoff continues, confidence in a timely reopening has sharply declined.

On Kalshi, a federally regulated prediction market, over $2.5 million has been wagered on shutdown duration. As of October 4, traders assigned a 64% probability that the shutdown would last more than 21 days. On the crypto-based Polymarket platform, where around $1.5 million has been traded, the odds of the shutdown stretching past two weeks stood at 72%.

The shutdown officially began at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, triggering furloughs for non-essential federal employees. While previous shutdowns have ended with back pay for workers, current conditions may be different. Members of the Trump administration have warned that some furloughed workers may not return, suggesting this shutdown could have deeper consequences than past standoffs.

President Trump has placed responsibility for the impasse on congressional Democrats. He has emphasized that continued layoffs and disruption to services are the result of their refusal to support core budgetary priorities, including border security. The lack of progress reflects a broader breakdown in negotiations between the two parties, with both sides blaming the other for the gridlock.

The prolonged shutdown raises risks for federal services, economic stability, and public trust in government operations. For conservative voters and taxpayers, the situation highlights the need for fiscal discipline and accountability in Washington. The longer the shutdown continues, the more pressure lawmakers will face from constituents, government workers, and financial markets.

Priceless Pharaoh Relic Stolen as Egypt Faces Rising Tourism Safety Fears

October 7, 2025

Egypt Pyramids — GIZA, EGYPT - JULY 21: Tourists walk past the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure on July 21, 2024 in Giza, Egypt. The colossal tombs near Cairo, built around 4,500 years ago for Pharaoh Khufu and completed circa 2560 BCE, are the only surviving wonders of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. (Photo by Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)

A priceless bracelet belonging to Pharaoh Amenemope was stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, prompting renewed concerns about tourism safety in Egypt. The bracelet, crafted from gold and lapis lazuli, was reportedly melted down and sold for just $4,000. Authorities confirmed the theft occurred inside the museum’s restoration lab, not in a public display area.

Security experts note the incident reflects broader safety issues in Egypt, especially for travelers. While the theft did not target tourists directly, it highlights security gaps at major cultural sites. Museums and archaeological centers often lack sufficient safeguards, leaving historic artifacts vulnerable to inside jobs and organized theft.

This specific theft was not motivated by ideology or organized crime but rather by poverty and opportunism. One regional security advisor explained that due to Egypt’s economic conditions, crimes involving tourists or national artifacts are increasingly driven by desperation rather than intent to harm. He described some thefts as “less crime than survival.”

Though violent crimes against tourists remain rare, experts warn that petty theft, scams, and overcharging are common. Tourists are often targeted by aggressive vendors or misleading tour guides. Egypt maintains a large security presence focused on anti-terrorism, but petty crime receives far less attention from authorities.

Travelers are advised to take precautions, including avoiding flashy items, staying in well-lit areas, and steering clear of unsolicited help from strangers. Basic travel safety steps such as carrying only small amounts of cash and keeping ID copies accessible are also recommended. Tour operators encourage visitors to book with registered guides and reputable agencies.

The theft of a priceless royal artifact, melted down and sold at scrap value, underscores the consequences of lax oversight and the erosion of cultural preservation standards.

Harvard Hires Drag Queen ‘LaWhore Vagistan’ as Gender Studies Professor

October 7, 2025

Harvard University has hired a drag performer known as “LaWhore Vagistan” as a visiting associate professor in gender and sexuality studies for the 2025–2026 academic year. The individual behind the persona is Tufts University Professor Kareem Khubchandani, who teaches performance studies and queer studies. The appointment has sparked concern from conservative observers questioning the direction of American higher education.

Khubchandani will teach two courses at Harvard: one on “queer ethnography” and another titled RuPaulitics: Drag, Race, and Desire. Harvard’s official announcement praised Khubchandani for blending scholarship and performance, highlighting his work as an “interdisciplinary artist-scholar” and performer. According to Harvard, the course offerings are part of the university’s continued focus on gender and identity politics within the curriculum.

LaWhore Vagistan, Khubchandani’s stage name, is known for performances that include provocative titles and themes. His website promotes drag as “a form of public intellectualism.” Critics argue that such language and branding are inappropriate for a university setting and reflect the growing presence of political activism within academia.

Harvard’s press release stated that Khubchandani “brings together performance studies, ethnography, queer nightlife, South Asian cultural production, and postcolonial studies.” His most recent book, Lessons in Drag: A Queer Manual for Academics, Artists, and Aunties, is expected to be released in October 2025.

Concerns are rising among Christian and conservative communities about Harvard’s direction. The hiring of a professor under a name as explicitly sexual as “LaWhore Vagistan” raises questions about the erosion of academic standards and the normalization of content that would previously have been considered obscene or vulgar.

Rutgers TPUSA Demands Removal of Radical Professor

October 7, 2025

A Turning Point USA chapter at Rutgers University is demanding the removal of a professor they say is aligned with the far-left extremist group Antifa. The petition targets Dr. Mark Bray, a lecturer known for his outspoken support of militant anti-fascism. Students argue his presence threatens campus safety and silences conservative voices.

Dr. Bray, author of Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, openly defends militant opposition to what he defines as “fascism.” In the book, he refers to Antifa as a necessary response to perceived authoritarianism and encourages confrontational tactics. TPUSA members say this crosses a line between academic freedom and endorsing political violence.

The public petition states: “We, the students of Rutgers University, are deeply concerned to learn that an outspoken, well-known antifa member, Dr. Mark Bray, is employed by the university.” It further warns that “with the current trend of left-wing terrorism, having a prominent leader of the antifa movement on campus is a threat to conservative students.”

The petition highlights that Bray has pledged at least 50% of the book’s proceeds to the International Anti-Fascist Defense Fund, which the petition claims is directed by Antifa members from over 18 countries. Students believe this directly supports violent activism under the guise of academia.

Megyn Doyle, Treasurer of Rutgers TPUSA, told Fox News Digital the group is calling for Bray’s removal, arguing, “We believe that Dr. Bray’s conduct, affiliations, and teachings create an unsafe environment for those of us who identify as conservative or Christian.”

Bray has not publicly responded to the petition. Rutgers University has also not issued a statement. As of now, the administration has taken no action.

TPUSA’s move is the latest in a growing trend of conservative student groups holding universities accountable for hosting faculty they believe push radical leftist agendas. The situation underscores the growing ideological divide on college campuses, where conservative students often find themselves targeted, marginalized, or silenced.

Harvard Poll Shows Americans Stand Firmly with Israel in 2025

October 6, 2025

Despite sustained media campaigns and international pressure aimed at undermining Israel’s fight against terror, a new Harvard/Harris poll confirms Americans continue to overwhelmingly support the Jewish state.

The poll, released this week, surveyed 2,413 registered voters and found 75% support Israel over Hamas — a slight increase from 74% in August. The margin of error is 2%. Meanwhile, 78% of respondents agreed that Hamas should release all remaining hostages unconditionally or face serious consequences, a figure that remains unchanged from the previous survey.

Support for President Donald Trump’s recently unveiled Gaza peace plan is also strong. Initially, 56% of respondents backed the plan. After being informed of its details, support surged to 83%, showing that Americans favor clear, strategic solutions over vague ceasefire rhetoric.

American backing for Israel has remained steady since the October 7, 2023, terror attacks, which saw Hamas murder over 1,200 Israeli civilians. Unlike many European countries where public opinion has shifted due to growing anti-Israel sentiment in immigrant-heavy populations, the U.S. remains a bulwark of pro-Israel support.

The poll also reveals strong sentiment against Iran. A commanding 79% of respondents said they side with Israel over the Islamic Republic. In late June, President Trump ordered targeted strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a move that was widely supported by conservative voters and many independents.

While some progressive activists and mainstream media outlets continue to portray U.S. support for Israel as waning, the data tells a different story. Across party lines and demographics, Americans recognize Israel’s right to defend itself against terror and view Hamas and Iran as serious threats to regional and global stability.

Trump Refugee Cap 2025, Brutal Cut to 7,500 Expected

October 6, 2025

Flag Of South Africa (Bulgac/Getty via Canva Pro)

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to cut annual refugee admissions to just 7,500, a dramatic 94 percent reduction from the more than 100,000 refugees resettled under former President Joe Biden in Fiscal Year 2024. The report, first published by The New York Times, signals a return to Trump’s America First immigration stance, prioritizing U.S. sovereignty and national security over global resettlement quotas.

Under Biden, refugee admissions surged as the administration opened pathways for hundreds of thousands through parole programs for migrants from Afghanistan, Latin America, the Caribbean, and other regions. The Trump administration is reversing course, aiming to tightly limit resettlement while focusing on groups facing genuine persecution.

According to the Times, the majority of the new refugee slots will be reserved for white South Africans—descendants of Dutch and French settlers—fleeing racial discrimination and violence in their home country. The move has drawn criticism from the establishment media and left-leaning refugee advocacy groups, but aligns with long-standing conservative concerns about ideological bias in refugee admissions.

Trump’s policy acknowledges that the refugee cap is a ceiling, not a target, and the administration has made it clear that even the reduced figure is subject to strict vetting. The decision also serves as a rebuke to Biden-era policies that blurred the line between asylum and mass migration, contributing to ongoing strains on U.S. infrastructure and security.

The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department have already begun admitting persecuted South Africans under the Trump directive, citing credible reports of anti-white violence and the collapse of property rights protections under the African National Congress government.

The refugee shift comes as Trump prepares for a 2026 reelection bid with immigration and border control once again taking center stage. Supporters see the new cap as a strong move to reclaim federal control over immigration priorities, reduce federal expenditures on resettlement programs, and protect American cultural and economic stability.

OpenAI AMD Deal 2025, Billions at Stake in AI Power Play

October 6, 2025

openAI sam altman — (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

OpenAI has entered a multibillion-dollar agreement with chipmaker AMD that could result in a 10 percent equity stake in the company. The deal signals a major shift in the artificial intelligence hardware landscape and marks AMD’s largest win to date in its competition with AI chip leader Nvidia.

Announced Monday, the partnership will see OpenAI deploy up to six gigawatts of AMD’s Instinct GPUs across future AI infrastructure. The deployment will begin with a 1-gigawatt rollout scheduled for the second half of 2026. AMD has issued OpenAI a warrant for 160 million shares of common stock, with tranches vesting based on deployment volume and AMD’s share price performance.

If OpenAI fully exercises the warrant, it could hold approximately 10 percent of AMD based on current outstanding shares. While financial terms were not disclosed, both companies confirmed the deal is valued in the billions.

AMD stock surged over 28 percent following the announcement. The deal cements AMD as a strategic partner for OpenAI, which CEO Sam Altman said would help “accelerate progress” in the global AI sector. Altman emphasized the importance of having multiple chip partners to expand capabilities and reduce vendor risk.

This move follows OpenAI’s $100 billion hardware and equity agreement with Nvidia. That partnership, unveiled earlier this year, includes plans to deploy 10 gigawatts of Nvidia GPU power—making it the largest AI infrastructure project on record. However, OpenAI’s new relationship with AMD broadens its supplier base and provides a major boost to AMD’s long-term competitiveness.

The shift could complicate OpenAI’s relationship with Nvidia. Shares of Nvidia dropped more than one percent in Monday trading as news of the AMD deal broke. Meanwhile, OpenAI is also in talks with Broadcom to design custom chips for future AI models, further diversifying its hardware approach.

AMD CEO Lisa Su called the partnership a “true win-win,” citing OpenAI as a flagship customer and highlighting the company’s roadmap for high-performance AI computing.

Frank Bisignano Takes Unprecedented Dual Role at IRS, SSA

October 6, 2025

agreement — (Image by Pgiam/Getty Images)

Frank Bisignano, commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), will now also serve as CEO of the Internal Revenue Service, the Treasury Department announced Monday. This dual appointment comes at a pivotal time, with the IRS facing a staffing crisis, looming regulatory deadlines, and the pressures of a government shutdown.

Bisignano, a former CEO of Fiserv, will continue overseeing SSA’s operations, which deliver monthly benefits to over 74 million Americans. He will now also manage the day-to-day operations of the IRS, reporting to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who remains acting IRS commissioner. The new CEO position allows Bisignano to bypass Senate confirmation and begin his duties immediately.

The IRS is currently preparing to implement major tax reforms from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act before the next filing season begins in January. These reforms require updates to IRS regulations, technology, and customer service procedures. However, the agency’s capacity to meet these demands is in question following the loss of more than 25,000 employees due to voluntary buyouts, deferred resignations, and layoffs.

The Treasury’s internal watchdog recently warned of significant concerns heading into the 2026 tax season, citing workforce reductions and delayed IT modernization. The IRS is expected to hire at least 3,500 employees to meet basic customer service goals, including answering calls and processing paper returns.

Bisignano joins the IRS during a government shutdown, though the agency remains operational using funds from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Those funds are projected to run out within days, and no clear plan has been announced if the impasse continues.

Meanwhile, Bisignano faces scrutiny over his ability to lead both agencies. Advocacy groups and political opponents argue the dual role could dilute his focus, particularly as the SSA grapples with its own service delivery challenges. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns about inflated performance claims at SSA, prompting an inspector general investigation into call center wait times and agency efficiency.

The IRS has also been embroiled in controversy, including a legal battle over a recent request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access taxpayer data for deportation enforcement. The agency, under former commissioner Billy Long, provided information on only 47,000 of the 1.2 million individuals ICE requested data for, citing federal privacy laws.

The White House praised Bisignano’s appointment, highlighting his private-sector experience in financial services and technology as key qualifications for managing two of the federal government’s most public-facing agencies. President Trump’s administration views the move as part of a broader effort to modernize and streamline federal service delivery.

Chicago Shooting Victims 2025: Violence Surges Past 1,500

October 6, 2025

Chicago has surpassed 1,500 shooting victims so far in 2025, marking a troubling milestone under Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. The figure includes both fatal and non-fatal shootings and reflects the continued breakdown of law and order in one of America’s most violence-plagued cities.

According to the Chicago Police Department’s Week 39 report, more than 1,100 shooting incidents occurred by the end of September. The Chicago Sun-Times then confirmed on October 4 that the city had reached 1,500 total shooting victims, with 276 deaths and 1,224 wounded.

Just two days later, the number has already climbed. Breitbart News reported that over the most recent weekend alone, at least 30 people were shot, five of them fatally. CBS News noted that on October 5 and the early hours of October 6, another 11 shootings occurred, resulting in 13 more victims, including one fatality.

The pace of violence in Chicago shows no signs of slowing. These latest incidents bring the city’s total shooting victim count well beyond the 1,500 mark as of October 6, just ten months into the year.

The numbers underscore a broader public safety crisis that continues to escalate despite years of promises from progressive leadership. Critics argue that soft-on-crime policies, reduced police morale, and a lack of decisive leadership have allowed violence to spiral out of control. Under Mayor Johnson’s leadership, the city’s violence remains unchecked, with little indication of meaningful policy shifts that prioritize law enforcement or public safety.

Residents and business owners alike are growing increasingly alarmed by the deteriorating security conditions, as Chicago continues to top national charts for gun violence and homicide. The city’s current trajectory has renewed calls for a hardline approach to crime, one that restores law and order and holds offenders accountable.

Maryland Climate Lawsuit vs. Big Oil Faces Tough Questions

October 6, 2025

Maryland’s highest court heard arguments Monday in three lawsuits filed by Baltimore City, Annapolis, and Anne Arundel County against major oil companies, including BP. The local governments claim the companies knowingly misled the public about the dangers of fossil fuel use and contributed to alleged climate-related damages like sea-level rise and extreme weather.

Lower courts previously dismissed the lawsuits, prompting an appeal to the Maryland Supreme Court. During oral arguments, justices appeared skeptical of the plaintiffs’ claims, questioning both the legal theory and the potential global impact of a state-level ruling.

Attorney Victor Sher, representing the local governments, argued fossil fuel companies failed to warn consumers about climate-related risks tied to their products. He cited internal research by BP dating back to the 1960s, claiming the company foresaw “catastrophic effects” but instead chose to protect its own infrastructure while allegedly misleading the public.

Justice Steven Gould pressed Sher to provide an example of what kind of warnings should have been issued. Sher failed to offer a clear answer. Justice Brynja Booth questioned the legal connection between local harm and the global nature of carbon emissions, suggesting the plaintiffs’ claims might exceed the scope of state authority.

BP’s attorney, Theodore Boutrous, rejected the plaintiffs’ arguments. He said Maryland law cannot be applied to global emissions and emphasized that regulation of emissions is a federal matter handled by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency. Boutrous also pointed to the Clean Air Act, which sets national standards and preempts local attempts to impose additional requirements on emissions or labeling.

Boutrous warned that granting the requested relief would amount to Maryland courts legislating global environmental policy—an overreach he said would undermine the EPA’s established regulatory framework. He argued the proper avenue for such changes is through Congress, not through state lawsuits.

Similar lawsuits have been filed by other states and municipalities, including in Hawaii and Colorado. Opponents of these efforts maintain that oil companies have complied with all existing federal laws, and any additional climate regulations should come through legislative channels rather than judicial mandates.

The Maryland Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision on the combined cases in the coming weeks.