Hello! This is September 16, 2025.

Trump Announces First Ever GOP Midterm Convention For 2026

President Trump announced the Republican Party will hold its first-ever Midterm Convention ahead of the 2026 elections to showcase accomplishments since his 2024 re-election. National party conventions are traditionally held every four years for presidential nominations, making this unprecedented. Trump first suggested the idea in August, stating millions have joined the GOP's quest to "Make America Great Again." The 2026 midterms will determine congressional control, with all 435 House seats and 34 Senate seats on the ballot. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin has reportedly considered a similar convention.

Trump Files $15 Billion Libel Lawsuit Against New York Times

President Trump sued The New York Times, four reporters, and publisher Penguin Random House for at least $15 billion, claiming defamation and libel in a Florida court filing. The lawsuit cites various Times articles and a 2024 book titled "Lucky Loser" that Trump claims contained "repugnant distortions and fabrications." Trump's lawyers argue the publications harmed his business reputation and caused massive economic damage to his brand value. This follows Trump's pattern of suing media companies, including previous lawsuits against The Wall Street Journal and CBS.

DC Comics Cancels Batman Spin-Off Over Writer's Charlie Kirk Comments

DC Comics canceled its Batman spin-off "Red Hood" series after writer Gretchen Felker-Martin posted inflammatory comments mocking Charlie Kirk's assassination on social media. The transgender author called Kirk a "Nazi" and joked about hoping "the bullet was OK" after hitting him. Despite the cancellation, Felker-Martin expressed "no regrets" in interviews, saying she stands by her sentiment that "Kirk was evil." DC Comics confirmed the entire series was canceled, with sellers invited to return already-shipped issues due to posts promoting hostility inconsistent with company standards.

BlackRock Tech Fund Delivers 11.9% Yield Plus Capital Gains

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust offers an 11.9% yield that nearly triples Treasury bond returns while providing capital appreciation and trading at a discount to net asset value. Unlike some high-yield covered call funds that sacrifice share price for distributions, BSTZ has gained approximately 30% since February 2024 while maintaining its double-digit yield. The fund uses covered call options selectively on its 82-stock technology portfolio and holds private company stakes including ByteDance and Klarna. The fund has a 12-year term expiring in 2031 but is subject to renewal.

US Retail Sales Beat Expectations With 0.6% August Gain

US retail sales rose 0.6% in August, surpassing economist forecasts of 0.2% growth and matching July's upwardly revised 0.6% increase. Core retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, climbed 0.7% after a 0.5% July advance. However, economists warn some growth reflected tariff-driven price increases rather than increased volumes. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates Wednesday to support a weakening labor market, with household spending showing signs of slowing amid rising unemployment and economic uncertainty.

Fitness Expert Outlines Six Essential Strength Movements For Older Adults

NYC trainer Marfred Suazo recommends older adults focus on six core movement patterns for functional fitness and longevity. The "decades of strength" approach includes push movements, pull exercises, carries, hip hinges, overhead presses, and squats to maintain muscle mass and prevent decline. Suazo calls skeletal muscle the "organ of longevity" that prevents falls and bone fractures. He suggests beginners start with fundamentals like push-ups and resistance bands, combining strength training with cardiovascular exercise and mobility work for optimal aging benefits.

Study Finds Statins May Reduce Effectiveness Of GLP-1 Drugs

A 2024 study in Cell Metabolism found that atorvastatin, a common statin, reduced GLP-1 hormone levels by nearly 50% while increasing blood sugar and insulin resistance. The research suggests statins reduce gut bacteria that produce bile acids needed for GLP-1 production, creating what one expert calls a "metabolic paradox." This could affect millions of Americans taking both statins for cholesterol and GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for diabetes or weight loss. The findings add to evidence that statins increase diabetes risk, though researchers note lifestyle changes remain the primary defense against heart disease.