Add Your Spare Change, Broaden Your Life’s Possibilities: Economist on Trump Accounts

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday launched the Trump Accounts app. Michael Busler, an economist and public policy analyst and Professor of Finance at Stockton University, offers his take.

Iran is Untrustworthy, Similar to Negotiating with Jim Jones Cult: Panel

Retired Lt. Col. Darin Gaub and retired Navy SEAL Jonathan Gilliam discussed with NTD's Steve Lance, their skepticism of Iran in its negotiations with the U.S., what it would take to bring Iran to the table, and the ability of a faction of Iranians to overthrow the Islamist theocracy.

American AI Development vs CCP-Aligned Interference

The United States and China are both pursuing AI dominance. There are foreign influence vectors aligned with CCP ideology currently seeking to interfere with American AI development, policies, and perspectives.

Dr. Oz: Medicare Fraud Could Drain Program by Time You Retire, but Some Governors View Fraud as a Feature

Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz alleges that not every state is equally motivated to stop the theft draining the federal healthcare system. He also reveals a strategic shift away from chasing criminals after the fact toward stopping fraudulent payments before they ever leave the building.

Dr. Oz says fixing the fraud crisis isn't just about accountability, it could determine whether Medicare exists at all when you or your kids retire.

Case Must be Made About What J6 Detainees Endured Without Trial for Years: Panel

Democratic strategist Madeline Summerville and Republican strategist Brian Woodley joined NTD's Steve Lance to discuss a federal judge's temporary block of the Trump administration's anti-weaponization fund designed to compensate victims of political prosecution, and the Justice Department saying it will abide by the ruling, despite disagreeing with it.

The IRGC and Mullah Regime Are Intertwined, Explains Expert

President Trump explained that negotiations with Iran are progressing despite concerns that they are stalled, as tensions with Israel and Hezbollah continue to remain high.

NTD discussed the Middle East with Gerard Filitti, foreign policy analyst and attorney specializing in International Law.

‘The Clock Has Run Out’ on Iran: Geopolitical Analyst

To discuss the latest in the Iran war, NTD spoke with retired Lt. Col. Darin Gaub, NTD's senior geopolitical analyst. He served as a battalion commander and Black Hawk pilot in the U.S. Army.

Iranian Regime Misreading Trump, Says Middle East Expert

Iran launched more missiles and drones, testing the ceasefire and President Donald Trump's patience. NTD discussed where that tipping point might be with David Wurmser, Middle East affairs analyst with the Center for Security Policy.

Rising Debt and Unemployment Put France Under Pressure

Inflation, stagnant wages, and soaring living costs fuel public frustration, while weak economic growth and political instability complicate efforts to restore confidence and address France’s mounting economic challenges.

https://ntd.nyc/q1qivu

US Reduces Embassy Staff Amid Rising Iran Threats

The US has reduced staffing at four Middle East embassies amid intelligence warnings of advanced Iranian plots targeting Americans. Washington has also heightened travel warnings across the region as threats of terrorism and armed conflict persist.

https://ntd.nyc/3c2p0i

France Deploys 70,000 Officers as Protests Turn Violent, Nearly 1,000 Arrested

Clashes erupted in Paris, Marseille, and other French cities, but a massive police deployment helped contain widespread looting. Nearly 1,000 people were arrested as violence and property damage persisted.
https://ntd.nyc/eylavp

Trump Administration Deports 980,000 in First 18 Months

The Migration Policy Institute reports that the Trump administration conducted 980,000 deportations from Jan. 20, 2025, to July 31, 2026. About 69% involved people initially intercepted at the border, while 31% were arrested inside the U.S. Deportations of those arrested in the interior rose from 8,000 to 19,000 per month, on average. About 20% of deportees had criminal convictions.

https://ntd.nyc/6merbj

Ukraine Says Military Starlink Service Restored

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Starlink and Starshield speeds have returned to normal after battlefield restrictions. The restoration followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer to raise the issue with Elon Musk.

https://ntd.nyc/fr2svs

Wall Street Small Caps Rise as AI Stocks Slide

The Russell 2000 gained 2% for the week, outperforming major U.S. indexes as Treasury yields fell overall, easing pressure on rate-sensitive stocks. The S&P 500 dropped 0.47% and the Nasdaq fell 0.71% amid concerns over AI spending and rising debt. Yields rebounded late in the week as oil prices topped $116 a barrel.

https://ntd.nyc/v7yb8e

Texas Senate Race Tightens as Paxton Faces Democrat Talarico

Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are locked in a competitive Texas Senate race, with polls showing Talarico holding a narrow lead. The contest has drawn a record $544.5 million in ad spending, while high energy prices, shifting demographics could influence the outcome.

https://ntd.nyc/wawmer

Trump May Back 2.5% Cap on Student Loan Interest

President Donald Trump said he might support capping federal student loan interest at 2.5%, down from current rates of 6.52% to 9.07% for new loans, potentially lowering borrowing costs for millions of Americans. The Education Department reported 42.6 million federal student loan borrowers owed a combined $1.7 trillion as of June 2026.

https://ntd.nyc/w9daq9

DOJ Gives California Counties 48 Hours to Verify Suspected Noncitizen Voters

The U.S. Justice Department has given California county election officials 48 hours to help verify the citizenship of suspected noncitizens on voter rolls and set aside their mail ballots for review. Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the move, while the state attorney general’s office disputed claims of widespread voter fraud, saying 28 recent federal cases represent a tiny fraction of California’s more than 23 million registered voters.

https://ntd.nyc/9vyf9r

Xi’s Shortened, Unbroadcast Speech Fuels Questions Over Power Struggle Ahead of Key CCP Meeting

Xi Jinping delivered a speech marking the Long March’s 90th anniversary that was one-third the length of his 2016 address and was not broadcast live. Analysts say his emphasis on Party control over the military comes amid purges of senior officers and internal power struggles ahead of the CCP’s Fifth Plenary Session, scheduled for Oct. 26–29.

https://ntd.nyc/yqpg5s

Brazil’s Lula Wins Reelection as Bolsonaro Demands Results Be Annulled

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection with 51.8% of the vote, defeating Flávio Bolsonaro by nearly 4.4 million votes. Bolsonaro refused to concede, calling for the results to be annulled after a last-minute decision extended voting hours by two hours.

https://ntd.nyc/83cfi8