Highlights

• The US economy showed strength with private sector payrolls rising 123,000 in the latest month after 190,000 previously, beating expectations by double, while unemployment holds at 4.3% near full employment. • Atlanta Fed GDPNow forecasts 3.7% annual growth for Q2, with weekly unemployment claims at rock bottom and no recession in sight despite left-wing critiques. • Blue-collar nonsupervisory workers saw 3.7% hourly earnings growth and 1% hours increase, yielding 4.7% wage-income proxy rise outperforming white-collar gains.

• Over the last 7 days, the US market rose 3.2% and is up 31% over the past year, with earnings forecast to grow 16% annually, spotlighting undiscovered gems based on debt-to-equity, revenue growth, earnings growth, and health ratings. • Top picks include First Bancorp (68.27% debt/equity, 1.25% revenue growth, -3.09% earnings growth, ★★★★★★), Southern Michigan Bancorp (108.80% debt/equity, 7.38% revenue growth, 0.84% earnings growth, ★★★★★★), and Cashmere Valley Bank (31.63% debt/equity, 5.07% revenue growth, 1.43% earnings growth, ★★★★★★). • Other notables are ASA Gold and Precious Metals (12.65% revenue growth, 41.20% earnings growth, ★★★★★★), Anbio Biotechnology (-30.09% revenue growth, -3.45% earnings growth, ★★★★★★), and Affinity Bancshares (41.71% debt/equity, 1.36% revenue growth, -0.22% earnings growth, ★★★★★★).

Researchers say 481-metre wave in fjord was triggered by rockslide linked to climate crisisA mega tsunami in Alaska last year in a fjord visited by cruise ships is a stark warning of the risks of coastal rockslides and glacier retreat fueled by the climate crisis, a new study warns.Scientists recorded the world’s second-tallest tsunami after it struck the Tracy Arm fjord in south-east Alaska last August after a massive rockslide around the toe of a glacier. The tsunami reached 481 metres (1,578ft) in height; by comparison the Eiffel Tower is 330 metres (1082ft). Continue reading...

• Las Vegas Aces top preseason power rankings as defending champions, with Indiana Fever hosting Dallas Wings featuring past four No. 1 picks: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd. • Aces chase franchise record of 35 wins, tied for league history most at 34 by 2023 Aces and 2025 Lynx. • Angel Reese joins Atlanta Dream as top rebounder (13.1 RPG in 2024), replacing Brittney Griner amid league's rebounding leaders.

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described President Trump's economic measures as suffocating Iran's regime during a May 3 Fox News appearance. • Iran's economy faces $435 million daily losses and 112% food inflation due to the U.S. blockade, per FOX Business analysis. • Rising U.S. gas prices from the Iran conflict are creating broader economic challenges despite the pressure on Tehran.

HAYI has taken responsibility for a string of incidents targeting Jewish sites, but investigators say the latest claim may be opportunistic rather than state-backedPolice treating stabbing of two men in Golders Green as terrorismIt took just over an hour after the horrific knife attack on two British Jewish people in Golders Green, north London, for an Iran-linked terror group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), to make a claim of responsibility on a Telegram channel.Counter-terror police are aware of the initial posting – a brief statement accompanied by the group’s logo – put online at 12.23pm and a follow-up 40 minutes later showing a violent attack at a bus stop. Continue reading...

Washington facing long economic war or risky military action to reopen strait of Hormuz – which may now be more valuable to Iran than a nuclear weaponDonald Trump is learning first-hand about the perils of mission creep.The US-Israel war in Iran has just passed its eighth week – twice as long as the president predicted it would take when US warplanes launched their joint attack with Israeli forces to decapitate the Iranian leadership and paralyse its military. The military attacks were successful. The predictions about the political cause-and-effect to follow were not. Continue reading...