U.S. Drops Israel Normalization Tie to Saudi Nuclear Deal
The U.S. has reportedly abandoned its requirement for Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel before proceeding with civil nuclear cooperation talks, a significant departure from previous policy ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh next week.
Under former President Joe Biden's administration, nuclear negotiations were part of a broader U.S.-Saudi deal that linked normalization with Israel to Riyadh's goal of a defense treaty with Washington, but progress reportedly stalled due to Saudi Arabia's insistence on Palestinian statehood.
During his April visit to Saudi Arabia, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright indicated that both nations were on a "pathway" to a civil nuclear agreement. However, key obstacles remain, particularly regarding uranium enrichment rights under Section 123 of the 1954 U.S. Atomic Energy Act.
Pro-Trump narrative
The Trump administration's decoupling of nuclear cooperation from Israeli normalization represents a pragmatic approach to advancing U.S. regional strategic interests. This shift allows for critical energy partnerships while maintaining nonproliferation safeguards through innovative solutions like the 'black box' model. The deal could secure significant economic benefits through arms sales and investments while strengthening U.S. regional influence.
Anti-Trump narrative
This policy reversal undermines regional stability and security by potentially enabling Saudi nuclear capabilities without adequate safeguards. The kingdom's past statements about pursuing nuclear weapons if Iran does so raise serious proliferation concerns. Trump's aim of removing the normalization obligation also weakens the strategic position of key U.S. ally Israel and could embolden regional adversaries, led by the Iranian regime.
Narrative C
This major policy shift marks a significant political and geostrategic success for Riyadh. With Gaza destroyed and Saudis overwhelmingly hostile to Israel's policies, any normalization would jeopardize the kingdom's national security, its de-escalation strategy, and undermine its Vision 2030. A civil nuclear energy deal will allow Riyadh to create the necessary infrastructure and expertise to further bolster its regional and global stance.
Nerd narrative
There's a 62% chance that Saudi Arabia will normalize relations with Israel by 2031 if Iran gets a nuclear bomb by then, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
India-Pakistan Conflict 'None of Our Business,' Says JD Vance
In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance declared that Washington would not intervene in the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan, characterizing the situation as "fundamentally none of our business."
Speaking on "The Story with Martha MacCallum," Vance stated that while the administration wants the two nuclear powers to "de-escalate as quickly as possible," the U.S. ultimately "can't control these countries" but would pursue a resolution through "diplomatic channels."
The vice president also said that the administration hoped that the conflict would not "spiral into a broader regional war or, God forbid, a nuclear conflict," but stressed on the latter that "right now we don't think that's going to happen."
Republican narrative
For too long, the U.S. has involved itself in foreign affairs that are none of its business and not in its interest, resulting in costly misadventures. One of the reasons why Trump was elected was his promise not to involve America in foreign wars. Vance's comments confirm that a promise made is a promise kept with this administration, which will attempt to cool Indian-Pakistani relations but will not place American lives at risk.
Democratic narrative
Vance's comments serve as yet another example of how America is stepping away from its traditional role as a global mediator under this isolationist administration. India and Pakistan are important U.S. allies, and a potentially catastrophic conflict between the two would destabilize the entire region in a way contrary to U.S. interests. Given America's power and influence, the administration should do everything to resolve this crisis peacefully.
Trump Picks Fox News Host Pirro as DC's Top Prosecutor
U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Fox News host and former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as "interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia" on Thursday, after abandoning his first pick for the job, Ed Martin, whose term expires on May 20.
Pirro, 73, previously served as Westchester County District Attorney and judge in New York and established the first Domestic Violence Bureau in her office before joining Fox News in 2006.
Fox News announced Pirro's immediate departure from the network, where she co-hosted "The Five" and "Justice with Judge Jeanine." She is the latest of at least 20 current or former Fox employees to join Trump's second term.
Democratic narrative
This nomination epitomizes catastrophic judgment. Pirro — who proudly declared, "I don't care about my 401(k)" while endorsing economically ruinous policies — represents blind loyalty over competence. Her willingness to dismiss objective economic indicators in service to Trump reveals precisely the partisan zealotry that would eviscerate the Justice Department's independence and integrity.
Republican narrative
Pirro brings unparalleled prosecutorial gravitas to Washington's highest legal office. As a trailblazing first female judge and district attorney in New York, she established herself as a formidable advocate for justice and victims' rights. Her extensive courtroom experience and legal acumen make her exceptionally qualified to lead the nation's largest U.S. Attorney's office with authority and integrity.
Nerd narrative
There's a 25% chance that the Senate will vote to reject at least one of Trump's cabinet-level nominees, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Leo XIV Conducts First Mass as Pope
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass as pope in the Sistine Chapel on Friday. With Cardinal electors present, the pontiff emphasized the importance of bearing witness to joyful faith in Christ while warning that life loses meaning without faith.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old American Augustinian, was elected as the 267th pope on Thursday. Prevost has become the first pope from the U.S. after receiving the required two-thirds majority during the conclave's fourth ballot following the passing of Pope Francis.
Prior to his papal election, Leo XIV served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and spent time as a missionary bishop in Peru, where he holds dual citizenship. He has also held leadership roles in the Augustinian order, serving as its Prior General from 2001 to 2013.
Narrative A
Pope Leo XIV’s election is a hopeful moment for the global Church. With deep roots in Latin America and a life shaped by pastoral service and justice, he brings humility, wisdom, and a bridge-building spirit. His commitment to synodality and the poor echoes Pope Francis’ vision, offering steady leadership in a divided world. The Church is in capable, compassionate hands.
Narrative B
Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy facing deep challenges restoring trust after abuse scandals, navigating division over LGBTQ+ inclusion, and defining the role of women in the Church. As the first American pope, he inherits a global Church in flux. Balancing reform with tradition, and unity with truth, will test his leadership like never before. All eyes are on him, and only time will tell.
Nerd narrative
There is a 53.7% chance that the Roman Catholic Church will permit the ordination of female clergy after 2100, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Altman Urges Congress to Avoid AI Overregulation
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified before the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday, alongside executives from Microsoft, AMD, and CoreWeave, urging lawmakers to avoid heavy regulation of AI and support infrastructure development to maintain U.S. leadership against China.
The hearing marked a shift from Altman's 2023 Senate testimony, where he had advocated for strict AI oversight — now arguing that excessive regulation would be "disastrous" for America's competitive edge in artificial intelligence development.
Altman highlighted Project Stargate, a $500 billion AI hub planned in Abilene, Texas, as proof of the massive investments required. Project Stargate is set to be the world's largest AI training facility; AI data centers are projected to consume 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028 — nearly triple the current usage.
Pro-establishment narrative
As Sam Altman argued during his congressional hearing, the U.S. must move quickly to streamline permitting, expand infrastructure, and avoid burdensome regulations that could stifle innovation. European-style AI rules would be disastrous for American competitiveness, while a "light-touch" framework would allow U.S. companies to maintain their technological edge and ensure Western democratic values prevail in the development of artificial intelligence.
Establishment-critical narrative
AI leaders like Sam Altman now push for federal support — expanded grids, data access, and deregulation — while sidestepping questions about real-world impacts. Their shift from promoting oversight to demanding unchecked growth prioritizes dominance over harms like degraded literacy, privacy risks, and social disconnection. It's a power grab disguised as progress, where public resources fuel private empires under the banner of innovation.
Nerd narrative
There's a 74.8% chance that there will be a frontier open-source AI model on Jan. 1, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Citigroup Faces $1B Lawsuit Over Mexican Oil Firm Fraud
A federal appeals court in Miami has revived a $1 billion lawsuit against Citigroup, reversing a dismissal related to claims that the bank aided and concealed fraud at Mexican oil services company Oceanografia.
According to the lawsuit, Citigroup's Banamex unit provided $3.3 billion in cash advances to the now-bankrupt Oceanografia between 2008 and 2014 despite being aware of its excessive debt and of forged signatures from state-owned oil company Pemex on authorization forms.
The bank later discovered approximately $430 million in fraudulent cash advances and was subsequently fined $4.75 million by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2018 for inadequate internal controls at its Banamex division.
Narrative A
The revival of this lawsuit represents a crucial step toward accountability in the financial sector. Citigroup's sophisticated banking operations and internal controls should have detected and prevented such massive fraud. The bank's continued advancement of funds despite clear warning signs suggests a deliberate oversight driven by profit motives from interest payments.
Narrative B
The case remains unproven after nine years of litigation, with multiple dismissed complaints suggesting weak underlying claims. The bank took appropriate action by self-reporting fraud discovery, cooperating with authorities, and implementing personnel changes. The $4.75 million SEC settlement demonstrates the bank's commitment to addressing control issues.
Trump Says Tariffs on China Could Be Lowered to 80%
In a post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump suggests that tariffs on China could be reduced to 80%, down from their current rate of 145%. Trump suggested that such a move would be up to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The announcement comes ahead of U.S.-China trade talks slated for this weekend in Geneva led by Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Sources report that the U.S. delegation is planning to offer China a tariff reduction of down to 60% over the two-day talks.
Since the 145% tariffs were imposed on China last month, China responded with a tariff of 125% on U.S. goods. At the potential rate of 80%, cumulative tariffs on some Chinese goods could reach 245%.
Pro-China narrative
Trump is already folding on his misguided and quixotic tariff quest, as the U.S. side returns to reality. The current tariffs amount to an effective embargo, which would decimate U.S. consumers. China welcomes these concessions before the U.S., China, and the world at large suffer dire economic consequences, and looks forward to productive conversations over the weekend.
Republican narrative
In spite of domestic doomsayers, Trump's tactics have worked marvelously to bring an adversarial trading power to the negotiating table to make real progress on the issues affecting the people of the U.S. From drugs to the destruction of manufacturing power, the tariffs present a real chance to reinvigorate America's standing globally. We are now one step closer to a better trading arrangement with China.
Democratic narrative
This is a heartening sign that Trump's tariff Armageddon may not fully come to pass. Bessent has shown himself to be more moderate on trade than Trump, and the admission that the current rates are unsustainable bodes well for the American economy. Still, this charade has harmed America's global standing, shaken investor confidence, and has perhaps irreparably damaged U.S.-China relations and global supply chains.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that the effective U.S. tariff rate on goods being imported into the United States will be 9.6% at the end of 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
France, Poland Sign Treaty With Mutual Defense Clause
French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signed a new cooperation and friendship treaty in Nancy, France, on Friday — establishing mutual security guarantees in case of an attack on their territories.
These protections, according to Macron, are in addition to guarantees offered by NATO and the EU, and Tusk said that the pact opens the way toward a potential expansion of France's nuclear umbrella to cover Poland.
The treaty replaces a previous agreement signed in 1991, and comes amid growing concerns over Russia for its war with Ukraine as well as amid uncertainty about the U.S. security guarantees to Europe as U.S. President Donald Trump calls for them to increase military spending.
Pro-Trump narrative
President Trump has long called for its European NATO allies to take responsibility for their own defense, so a new defense treaty between France and Poland is a win. It's a matter of fact that France lacks the capacity to fully replace the United States, but complementary partnerships like this are key in the context of multiple conflicts.
Anti-Trump narrative
It's certain that Trump does press Europe to be less dependent on Washington for security, but this will eventually backfire. As European NATO allies no longer trust the United States, they will think twice about purchasing U.S. weapons and share sensitive information with Americans — meaning less influence for Washington.
Nerd narrative
There's a 42% chance that there will be a European Army before 2032, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Reports: FBI Launches Criminal Probe Into NY Attorney General James
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Attorney's Office in Albany have reportedly initiated a criminal investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James following allegations of mortgage fraud related to her real estate transactions.
The investigation stems from a criminal referral by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte to the Justice Department, alleging James falsified records to obtain favorable loans on properties in Virginia and Brooklyn.
Pulte's referral claims James listed a Virginia home purchased in 2023 as her primary residence while serving as New York's attorney general. She's also accused of misrepresenting the number of units in her Brooklyn property, which she has owned since 2001.
Republican narrative
This investigation is a critical step toward accountability and exposing corruption in New York's leadership. James appears to have committed the same type of fraud she prosecuted others for, falsifying documents to secure financial benefits she wasn't entitled to receive. The evidence suggests a clear pattern of deception spanning multiple properties and years.
Democratic narrative
These allegations are politically motivated retaliation orchestrated by Trump and his allies, seeking revenge for the successful civil fraud case against the president. The supposed discrepancies in mortgage documents were simple paperwork errors that have been thoroughly explained, and the timing of this investigation reveals its true dangerous, partisan nature.
Nerd narrative
There's a 49% chance that the Department of Justice will announce an investigation or prosecution of a Democrat who served as president, vice president, congressional leader, whip, or impeachment manager before Jan. 1, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.