Hello! This is September 25, 2025.

Trump Orders Federal Crackdown On Domestic Terrorism Networks

President Trump signed a presidential memorandum directing federal agencies to dismantle domestic terrorism networks and empowering the IRS to revoke tax-exempt status from organizations involved in such activities. The order follows Tuesday's shooting at a Dallas ICE facility where one detainee died and investigators found "ANTI-ICE" markings on shell casings. The memorandum instructs Justice, FBI, Homeland Security, and Treasury to coordinate efforts against "radical leftwing domestic terror organizations" following Trump's formal designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. Former DOJ official Mary McCord noted U.S. law lacks formal mechanisms for designating domestic groups as terrorists, calling Antifa "an ideology, not an organization."

Trump Imposes Tariffs On Trucks, Furniture And Pharmaceuticals

President Trump announced sweeping 25% tariffs on heavy-duty trucks, furniture, and pharmaceuticals effective October 1st to protect American manufacturers from foreign competition. The tariffs target imports from China and Vietnam, which exported $12 billion in furniture to the U.S. last year. Trump aims to protect companies like Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, and Mack Trucks, citing national security concerns. Furniture prices have already risen 4.7% over the past year under previous tariffs, with living and dining room sets up 9.5%. Wall Street reacted negatively with shares of Wayfair, RH, and Williams-Sonoma falling in after-hours trading.

Texas Executes Man For Toddler's Murder During Exorcism

Texas executed Blaine Milam by lethal injection Thursday for killing his girlfriend's 13-month-old daughter during a brutal 30-hour "exorcism" in December 2008. Prosecutors said Milam beat Amora Carson with a hammer, then strangled, bit and mutilated her, causing skull fractures, broken bones and dozens of bite marks. Milam maintained his innocence for 17 years, claiming his girlfriend Jesseca Carson insisted the child was possessed. Carson was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole. Milam's attorneys cited unreliable bite-mark evidence and intellectual disability claims, but appeals were denied and he was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m.

MSTY Versus SPYI: High Yield Or Tax Benefits For Income Investors

Income investors face a choice between the YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF offering an 86.54% annual yield and the NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF with a 12.19% yield but better tax treatment. MSTY uses synthetic options tied to MicroStrategy's Bitcoin holdings and monthly distributions, but its share price dropped 43.49% over 12 months with distributions taxed as ordinary income. SPYI invests across S&P 500 stocks with lower 0.68% fees versus MSTY's 0.99%, gained 1.7% annually, and offers advantageous return of capital distributions classified as section 1256 contracts subject to 60/40 tax rates that reduce cost basis rather than generating immediate taxable income.

30-Year Mortgage Rate Rises To 6.3% After Month-Long Decline

The average 30-year mortgage rate increased to 6.3% from 6.26% last week, ending a four-week decline that brought borrowing costs to nearly a year-low, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. The 15-year fixed rate also edged higher to 5.49% from 5.41% last week. Mortgage rates had been falling since late July ahead of the Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut in over a year last week. Rates generally track the 10-year Treasury yield, which stood at 4.19% Thursday. A year ago, 30-year rates averaged 6.08% and 15-year rates were 5.16%.

GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Show Benefits Beyond Fat Reduction

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy show promise treating conditions beyond obesity and diabetes, including cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and even cancer prevention. A Swiss study projects these drugs could reduce annual death rates by 6.4% by 2045. NYC weight-loss physician Dr. Sue Decotiis explains the medications target dysregulated metabolism affecting heart, kidney, neurological and autoimmune diseases. By reducing fat cells, GLP-1s decrease inflammatory cytokines throughout the body. Even patients without significant weight loss report feeling better, with improvements in rheumatoid arthritis and mood. Decotiis recommends seeking certified weight-loss physicians for proper prescriptions rather than self-dosing online.

Pumpkin Spice Offers Health Benefits Beyond Seasonal Flavor

Pumpkin spice's blend of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and allspice provides significant health benefits beyond taste. The spices are high in antioxidants that fight free radicals linked to aging, cancer and heart disease. Ginger's gingerol and shogaol compounds reduce inflammation while cinnamon may lower blood sugar by mimicking insulin and boosting glucose transport. The spices can slow artery-clogging plaque and regulate blood fats for heart protection. Allspice, cloves and ginger aid digestion by calming the stomach and supporting bowel regularity. However, excessive consumption poses risks including heartburn from ginger and potential liver damage from cassia cinnamon's coumarin content.