finance
Money talks; reviewing the global economy, government spending, taxes, and economic policy that affect our social and political future.
Investors traded a record $6.6 trillion worth of stock in the first half of 2025
In the first half of 2025, "Global Stock Trading Hits Record $6.6 Trillion" Global stock markets witnessed an unprecedented surge in activity in the first half of 2025, as total trading volumes soared to a record \$6.6 trillion. This milestone, the highest half-year figure in history, reflects heightened investor engagement driven by a mix of economic optimism, technological advancements, and a new wave of retail participation reshaping the financial landscape.
By GLOBAL NEWSabout a year ago in The Swamp
No Taxes on Tips or Overtime? Trump’s Tax Bombshell Just Changed the Game
If you’ve ever stayed late to finish your shift or depended on tips to keep the lights on, this one's for you. Because as of this week, thanks to a massive new tax overhaul just pushed through by Donald Trump, tips and overtime pay may no longer be taxed at the federal level.
By Bevy Osuosabout a year ago in The Swamp
The Last Message Before the Blackout: How World War 3 May Begin in Silence. AI-Generated.
The Last Message Before the Blackout: How World War 3 May Begin in Silence It started with a blink—literally. At 2:17 a.m. UTC, the entire world blinked. Lights flickered across New York, London, and Tokyo. Satellites lost signal for exactly 9 seconds. It was so short, most people didn’t even notice. But deep in underground bunkers and command centers buried beneath concrete and paranoia, generals and analysts did. They noticed everything.
By Ali Asad Ullahabout a year ago in The Swamp
Johnson pushes to get House GOP holdouts to back tax bill
**Johnson Pushes to Get House GOP Holdouts to Back Tax Bill** House Speaker Mike Johnson is intensifying efforts to rally support among Republican holdouts in the House of Representatives as the GOP attempts to pass a significant tax package. The bill, which has been a priority for House Republicans, includes extensions of business tax breaks, increases in the child tax credit, and measures aimed at economic growth. However, internal party divisions have threatened its passage, with several conservative members withholding their support.
By GLOBAL NEWSabout a year ago in The Swamp
What I Learned Growing Up in a Cult. Top Story - June 2025.
Earlier this week I was talking to a coworker about life. After a while, we somehow got on the subject of religion. I had to explain that I have an aversion to most organized forms of religion, having been raised in a church that at the time was very cult-like, and later after a split, the faction that stayed with the original leader went full cult. But that begs the question.
By Atomic Historianabout a year ago in The Swamp
The Fear That Shapes Us
“In times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” — George Orwell e World on Edge It begins in silence. A mother turns off the news and looks at her child differently. A father locks the door, not from robbers, but from headlines. An elderly man walks past a newspaper stand and mutters, “They’re lying again.” All over the world—from the White House to West Bank, from Tehran to Tel Aviv, from Kashmir to Kyiv—fear has replaced logic. Power has replaced truth. And for many, the only real battlefield is the human mind. --- 🧠 Fear as a Political Weapon Fear is the most ancient, primal human response. But in the hands of modern politics, it has evolved into a silent psychological weapon. Governments no longer need bullets to dominate minds. They have talking heads, clickbait headlines, deepfakes, and carefully scripted press releases. Through them, fear becomes systematic—administered like medicine and justified like war. We are told to fear: The other religion. The immigrant. The foreign power. Our own freedom of thought. But what if the enemy is not across borders, but inside the broadcast? --- 🔁 The Psychological Cycle Psychologically, fear triggers fight, flight, or freeze. But in global affairs, it creates something worse: submissive obedience. The average citizen, overwhelmed and anxious, begins to: Distrust everything Avoid complex truth Seek refuge in simplified lies Justify inhumane actions in the name of safety That is how entire populations slowly begin to accept war as defense, censorship as order, and power as morality. --- 🏛️ Superpowers or Superpredators? Let’s be honest: The term “superpower” has lost its dignity. Once a symbol of stability and guidance, today it reminds us of: Proxy wars fought in poor countries Weapon sales in the name of peace Diplomacy used for economic bullying Alliances built on shared paranoia, not shared values Whether it’s America’s role in Ukraine, China's eye on Taiwan, or Israel’s actions in Gaza, we must ask ourselves: When does power become the enemy of humanity? --- 🪞 A Mirror to Our Own Minds This isn’t just geopolitics. It’s psychology. Each headline we read, each image of a bombing or protest, triggers something inside us. Some feel anger. Some feel numbness. Some feel guilt. But very few ask: Why do I feel this way? Here are a few reasons: Childhood trauma reawakened by images of suffering Groupthink that pushes us to echo what others say Cognitive dissonance when we support a cause that harms innocents Moral fatigue when we stop caring because caring hurts too much --- ⚖️ Truth Is Not Neutral Anymore “Stay neutral” is a lie told by those who benefit from imbalance. Neutrality, in the face of genocide, is not wisdom—it’s compliance. Silence, in the face of lies, is not peace—it’s permission. And apathy, in the face of global suffering, is not protection—it’s participation. We live in a time when morality has been hijacked by narratives. Where media houses sell you rage per click. Where empathy is algorithmically filtered. Where the victims are judged by their side of the map. --- 🌐 A Global Mind in Crisis Let’s zoom out: Humanity is not just at war with itself—it is at war with truth. And the battleground is your mind. Each day, you are being shaped. Each day, you are nudged closer to acceptance or resistance. Each day, you are choosing—consciously or unconsciously—between fear and understanding. So what will you choose today? --- 🔦 A Call to Mental Resistance It’s time we stopped looking at world affairs like sports. This is not “us vs them.” This is “truth vs illusion.” And the most dangerous weapon of the 21st century is not a nuclear bomb. It is a narrative. Let’s reclaim our minds. Question what you believe Ask where your beliefs come from Listen deeply to those who suffer And if you must take a side—choose the side of the voiceless --- 📣 Final Reflection History will not remember your Twitter debates. It will remember your silence when your voice could save lives. Truth is not just about facts—it’s about courage. And today, to seek truth is to resist. --- 🧩 Engage With Humanity, Not Headlines If this reflection sparked something in you, share it. Let’s rebuild the world, not with weapons, but with awareness. Your mind is not a battlefield. It is a seed. Water it with truth. ---
By Riaz Gillani Exclusiveabout a year ago in The Swamp
Oil price jumps after US strikes Iran
"A Deep Dive into Global Energy Markets": "Oil Price Jumps After US Strikes Iran" In a move that has sent shockwaves through global markets, the price of crude oil spiked following a series of military strikes carried out by the United States against Iranian targets. The escalation of tensions between two of the world's most influential oil-producing nations has led to uncertainty in the energy sector, with far-reaching implications for both oil prices and the broader geopolitical landscape.
By GLOBAL NEWSabout a year ago in The Swamp
What Do Tariff Charges Really Mean for Shoppers?
We’ve all seen the news about tariffs, their unpredictability at times, and how these tariffs have affected politics and the stock market. More than two months after Trump’s April 2nd tariff announcement, the impact of the tariff charges are beginning to show.
By Joanna Clark Simpsonabout a year ago in The Swamp
Is Mediclaim Worth It?
If Mediclaim is worth the money is a topic that is frequently asked while considering health insurance. By covering hospitalization expenses including prescription medications, surgery, and other medical treatments, Mediclaim offers financial security. Because medical prices are rising, having Mediclaim may protect you from financial hardships during medical emergencies. It offers comfort by guaranteeing that medical costs are covered without consuming personal finances. But before making a choice, you must evaluate your health needs, the coverage provided by the insurance, and the premium prices. While many people find Mediclaim to be helpful, it's important to comprehend its rules and benefits in order to decide if it's really worth it for you.
By Madeeha Khanabout a year ago in The Swamp
