A global fertiliser crisis threatens agricultural economics due to the conflict in the Middle East, with 24% of the global bulk fertiliser supply effectively shut in behind the Strait of Hormuz. The situation may push up to 30 million people into poverty and create a new food crisis. The blockade has disrupted the global fertilizer trade, affecting planting seasons in countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Pakistan.

Kazakhstan has adopted a new constitution, which analysts argue strengthens the existing "superpresidential" model, making it difficult for the public to scrutinize or participate in politics. Meanwhile, autocracies are collaborating with each other to target dissenters abroad, with East Africa and East Asia being responsible for most incidents. The decline of strongman leaders like Viktor Orbán raises questions about the future of autocratic rule.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in May to discuss various issues, including trade and conflict resolution. China's economy grew 5% in the first quarter, beating expectations, despite the impact of the war in Iran. The Trump-Xi summit is seen as an opportunity for China to redefine its standing on the global stage and address tensions with the US over issues like Taiwan.

A new California bill aims to ban the use of toxic PFAS pesticides in the state starting in 2035, following the discovery of nearly 40% of conventional produce grown in California containing at least one PFAS pesticide. The Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law in 2010, has been mired by delays, with most of its requirements completed but the remaining regulations still not finalized. Meanwhile, researchers and organizations are pushing back on the retraction of a 2000 paper that claimed Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide, did not pose a health risk to humans.

The US Senate voted 50-49 to lift a 20-year ban on mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, allowing Twin Metals to establish a copper-nickel mine. The decision was made using the Congressional Review Act, a law designed to cut back on government bureaucracy. The move is expected to be signed into law by President Trump, despite opposition from environmental and conservation groups.

Maine has passed a moratorium on large data center development, with about a dozen other states considering similar legislation due to concerns about energy and water consumption. Data centers have become a voting issue, with voters in Virginia turning against new data centers, and a new poll showing 35% of Virginians would be uncomfortable with them in their community. The US government is planning a survey of data centers on their energy use, with some states proposing bills to reduce local control over data center siting decisions.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has stated that his country does not seek conflict with the US, but is prepared to fight if necessary amid increasing tensions and a US energy blockade. The US has threatened to overthrow the Cuban government and has imposed restrictions on the island's economy. The US has also urged Cuba to transition to a market-based economy and release political prisoners.

Mortality in US immigration detention centers has skyrocketed to its highest level in over two decades, with over 70,000 detainees. The increase comes amid an anti-immigrant offensive promoted by President Trump. Public Counsel is suing The GEO Group, which operates private prisons for ICE and the US Marshals Service. Protests and awareness campaigns are being held around the world to support Palestinian prisoners and prisoners in occupation prisons. In the US, Virginia DOC has hosted the first TEDx event at a women's correctional facility, featuring over 40 speakers. Amnesty International is calling for the release of those detained in Cuba for political reasons and an end to repression, following the organization's documentation of threats, surveillance, and arbitrary detentions against young people who use social media to question the authorities.

Declining fertility rates worldwide are being downplayed by economists, who warn against panic and promote demographic resilience. Politicians are using low teen birth rates to restrict access to birth control and abortion. In California, public school enrollment is declining, particularly in Los Angeles County.

A Town Hall for paid subscribers will discuss the role of hope-holders in darkness, scheduled for April 27th. Mazikaa Enterprises is creating spaces for San Diego's SWANA community, while Gnuville University gathers daily to celebrate national good news. America is celebrating its 250th anniversary through service initiatives, including Good Neighbor Day America on May 16th.

Jean Cooney is the new executive director of Creative Time, a New York nonprofit that stages ambitious public art in the city. The Bronx Museum is set to be completed by the end of 2026, with its annual gala honoring contemporary artist Awol Erizku. The new LACMA building will open this weekend, featuring a $720 million cost and a revamped design.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains fragile six months after the ceasefire, with 72,315 Gazans killed and 172,137 injured. Human development in Gaza has been set back 77 years due to the war, with an estimated $71.4 billion needed for recovery and reconstruction. The economy has contracted by 84% and 1.9 million people have been displaced.

The Colombian government has authorized a plan to cull Pablo Escobar's feral hippos, while over 15 million juvenile oysters are set to be released into the North Sea as part of a large rewilding project. Conservationists are also exploring ways to build a culture of care to mitigate the emotional strain of environmental degradation. Experts are discussing the potential of agroecology to feed the planet without destroying it.

The Trump administration has launched a website to refund $166 billion in tariffs collected under President Trump's tariff policy, which was found to be illegal by the Supreme Court. This refund is aimed at importers of record who paid the tariffs, and it is expected to provide relief to businesses affected by the tariffs. The refund process is part of a broader shift in trade policy, with the US manufacturing sector experiencing a resurgence due to the tariffs.

The US and Russia's nuclear arms control is at a significant turning point due to Russia's suspension of participation in the New START treaty and its expiration in 2026. The US seeks to address Russia's large arsenal of non-strategic nuclear weapons and novel systems, while Russia prioritizes constraints on missile defenses and long-range conventional strike capabilities. Emerging technologies, including AI and hypersonic technology, are changing the landscape of strategic stability.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated, with renewed conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and a tenuous ceasefire set to expire. The US and Iran are scheduled to hold talks, but Iran's foreign minister has accused Washington of being disingenuous. The conflict has had significant economic impacts, with oil prices rising nearly 60% in just over a month.

Stocks have broken out, with the US equities rally ignoring deteriorating macro conditions, while Bitcoin's rally is smaller and more gradual. The Fed remains hawkish, limiting the upside for Bitcoin. Geopolitical risks and a heavy earnings slate are expected to test the market narrative this week.

Homemade food is cheaper, faster and better tasting than what you buy at home, according to a study by Michael Coren. Ultra-processed foods are high in added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat, and low in fiber and micronutrients. Many foods, including popular treats and school lunches, contain unexpected and dangerous ingredients.