MicroWave

Summary

Anthony Muro, a Marine veteran and former VA hospital worker, regrets voting for Trump after being fired amid sweeping government cuts led by Elon Musk.

Muro was one of 25,000 probationary (new) federal employees terminated, including 1,700 VA workers. Despite court orders deeming the firings unlawful, he remains on administrative leave.

Muro criticizes Trump’s efficiency drive as harmful to veterans, saying cuts damage morale and care quality.

Many VA staff and veterans fear reduced services and long-term impacts on healthcare. Muro hopes to continue helping veterans despite his uncertain future.

Summary

Leaked messages reveal harsh anti-Europe sentiments within the Trump administration.

JD Vance opposed a strike on Yemeni Houthis, arguing it would benefit Europe more than the U.S., while Pete Hegseth criticized European "free-loading."

A compromise allowed the strike to proceed, with plans to bill Europe for costs.

The leak highlights frustration with European military reliance and echoes Trump’s public stance.

European leaders, including former Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt, called for stronger EU defense in response to the revelations.

Summary

TechInsights reports that producing wafers at TSMC's Arizona fab costs only 10% more than in Taiwan, contradicting claims of excessive U.S. production costs.

High expenses stem mainly from building the first overseas fab in decades with unskilled labor, not operational costs.

Equipment costs, which dominate wafer expenses, are consistent across locations. Labor costs, though higher in the U.S., account for less than 2% of total costs due to automation.

Logistics are slightly more complex but not significantly costlier. TSMC reportedly charges a 30% premium for U.S.-made chips.

Summary

Elon Musk has invested millions to support Republican Judge Brad Schimel in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, aiming to regain conservative control and maintain gerrymandered congressional districts.

After spending $290 million on Trump’s 2024 campaign, Musk's groups have contributed $14 million to Schimel’s race, significantly outspending liberal opponent Judge Susan Crawford.

Musk's America PAC spent $8.4 million, while his dark money group, Building America’s Future, added $6 million.

Musk has publicly backed Schimel, emphasizing the race’s impact on national politics.

Summary

A new Texas bill (SB 3003), introduced by Senator Angela Paxton, would require online sex toy retailers to verify buyers’ ages with government-issued photo IDs or third-party services.

Violations could result in Class A Misdemeanors and fines up to $5,000.

Critics say the bill echoes outdated obscenity laws and could push consumers to riskier retailers while creating privacy concerns.

Opponents argue it mirrors ineffective age verification laws seen nationwide and could lead to records of sex toy purchases being used against marginalized communities.

Summary

Federal employees returning to offices face cramped conditions, scarce supplies, and sanitation issues, with some forced to bring their own toilet paper and clean their workspaces.

Parking shortages and makeshift workspaces add to frustrations. Long commutes and child care challenges strain personal lives.

Some believe the harsh conditions are deliberate to prompt resignations.

Hybrid work had previously increased efficiency, but the sudden transition back to in-person work has been chaotic and demoralizing.

Summary

White House insiders blame National Security Adviser Mike Waltz for a group chat error that exposed military strike discussions to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg.

Waltz mistakenly added Goldberg to a Signal chat about potential strikes in Yemen, involving key officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and JD Vance.

Trump has defended Waltz but is reportedly weighing his options.

Some aides urge resignation to avoid forcing Trump to make a decision. Critics call Waltz reckless, but House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes his resignation.

Summary

Trump defended National Security Adviser Mike Waltz after journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal chat discussing Yemen military plans.

Trump dismissed the incident as a minor mistake, saying Waltz had “learned a lesson.”

Democrats criticized the security breach, demanding an investigation into the use of unapproved messaging apps for classified information.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House officials denied sharing classified material, calling the chat a “policy coordination” effort.

Summary

Elon Musk’s cost-cutting under DOGE may privatize National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operations or direct federal contracts to SpaceX and Starlink, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.

Former NOAA employees warn that Musk’s influence could undermine public communications infrastructure and compromise weather data reliability.

DOGE has cut 1,300 NOAA staff, and new contracts favor Starlink over competitors. FAA and federal agencies are moving toward Starlink for services, while Musk’s push for radio spectrum access threatens essential forecasting.

Critics fear Musk’s enterprises could become government-backed monopolies.

Summary

A 30-year study published in Nature Medicine found that eating a primarily plant-based diet with minimal processed food significantly increases the chances of reaching age 70 without chronic diseases.

Researchers analyzed over 105,000 people’s diets and found that less than 10% achieved "healthy aging."

Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low in processed meats—like the Mediterranean and Alternative Healthy Eating Index diets—showed the strongest benefits.

Experts emphasize combining healthy eating with exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking.

Summary

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected claims by Trump and Elon Musk that whites face persecution or genocide in South Africa, calling it a "completely false narrative."

Musk reignited the controversy by citing a rally where a far-left party chanted “Kill the Boer,” which courts previously ruled as protected speech.

Trump issued an executive order cutting US funding to South Africa and offering Afrikaners refugee status.

Ramaphosa noted that violent crime affects all races equally and condemned misinformation surrounding white farmers' safety.