Surge in Anti-Muslim Incidents in the U.S. Linked to Israel-Gaza Conflict

The United States has lost its final triple-A credit rating from Moody's, which downgraded it from Aaa to Aa1, citing increasing levels of government debt as a critical factor. This announcement coincided with the failure of President Donald Trump’s flagship spending bill to pass a crucial vote in Congress, highlighting ongoing fiscal challenges. Moody's explained that the prolonged rise in government debt and interest payment ratios has placed the US at a disadvantage compared to similarly rated sovereigns. The agency projects federal deficits to escalate to nearly 9% of GDP by 2035, up from 6.4% last year, primarily driven by higher interest payments and entitlement spending. Consequently, federal debt is expected to reach about 134% of GDP by 2035, compared to 98% in the previous year. Moody's decision echoes similar downgrades from other major ratings agencies, S&P and Fitch, which raised concerns over the US's fiscal management. While Moody's maintained a "stable" outlook, it emphasized a lack of effective measures to reverse the trend of growing annual fiscal deficits.

A nine-and-a-half-month-old baby, KJ Muldoon, from Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, has become the first patient globally to receive a bespoke gene therapy specifically designed for his rare metabolic condition, severe carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency. After spending months in a hospital on a restrictive diet, KJ was administered the groundbreaking treatment in February, followed by doses in March and April. According to KJ’s father, Kyle Muldoon, the family extensively researched options before opting for this experimental treatment. Since then, KJ has shown remarkable improvement, allowing him to eat more normally and recover from common illnesses. Experts, including Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, emphasized that KJ's case represents a critical step towards using gene editing therapies for various rare genetic disorders. Utilizing the CRISPR gene-editing tool, researchers replaced a mutation in KJ’s DNA responsible for his condition. Dr. Kiran Musunuru, a co-author of the study, noted that rapid publication of these results could pave the way for more personalized treatments in the future.

A New Orleans woman, Barbara Hainsworth, is under investigation after authorities found the mummified remains of her 600-pound son in her home, where she had reportedly lived for nine months. The grisly discovery was made on May 15, amid horrendous living conditions filled with garbage, chickens, and rodents, according to local news outlet Nola.com. Neighbors had previously lodged multiple complaints regarding the state of Hainsworth's residence. Following the investigation by the New Orleans Department of Code Enforcement, her home was declared a public nuisance due to extreme hoarding conditions. Hainsworth, described as a “mentally disabled elderly woman” and a former doctor whose medical license was revoked, claimed her son died nine months earlier and explained that she had not reported his death. Local officials have initiated emergency plans for cleanup and sanitation, while also enhancing rodent control measures for the area. Hainsworth faces multiple violations resulting in fines totaling $6,125, according to a statement from the city.