SEC Watch: April 21, 2026 — CVB–Heritage Merger Closes, SoundHound Swallows LivePerson
Tuesday's SEC EDGAR intake: a completed $20B regional bank merger, SoundHound's acquisition of LivePerson with a parallel debt restructuring, a Driven Brands Nasdaq deficiency notice, and a micro-cap serial-financing pattern…
Morning Wire: April 22, 2026 — Pentagon Unveils $1.5T Budget as Iran Talks Stall
Pentagon's record $1.5T FY27 budget request, an 11-count SPLC indictment, fresh Iran sanctions, and a stalled Islamabad ceasefire round lead today's briefing.
Afternoon Wire: April 21, 2026 — Iran Ceasefire Clock Ticks as House Barrels Toward Expulsion Vote
Vance departs for Islamabad as the U.S.-Iran ceasefire nears expiry; House Ethics weighs expulsion of Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick; courts roundup and Thursday's Israel-Lebanon talks.
Spending Watch: Week of April 21, 2026 — Pentagon Awards $13B+ as Improper Payments Hit $162B
The Investigative Journal’s weekly survey of federal obligations, grant flows, and oversight findings — drawn from primary sources on USAspending.gov, the Department of War’s daily contracts wire, agency press rooms,…
Belt & Road Watch: April 2026 — Tazara Revival and the New Shape of Chinese Overseas Capital
Chinese BRI engagement rebounded to $213.5B in 2025, but the composition has shifted toward mining, EVs, and digital infrastructure. This month's tracker covers Tazara Railway, the $24B port network, Laos's…
Goliath Falls: Anatomy of a $328 Million Crypto Ponzi and the Republican Donor Network It Infiltrated
Federal prosecutors charged Christopher Delgado with a $328 million crypto Ponzi that funneled stolen funds into Florida Republican political committees.
Capitol Watch: April 21, 2026 — Senate Opens DHS Budget Battle
Senate Republicans move to unlock $70 billion for immigration enforcement via reconciliation as the DHS shutdown enters its 10th week; Armed Services Seapower probes unmanned vessels; Oversight subpoena standoff with…
DOJ Watch: April 21, 2026 — Half-Billion in Health-Care Fraud, Espionage Conviction, and Russian Router Takedown
Federal prosecutors this week logged more than $500 million in health-care and COVID-19 fraud actions, an Aetna Medicare Advantage settlement, an economic-espionage conviction, an Espionage Act leak prosecution, and a…
Federal Register Watch: April 21, 2026 — DOJ Delays State and Local Web Accessibility Deadline by One Year
Daily digest of notable Federal Register entries: DOJ extends ADA web accessibility compliance deadlines, DOE further stays fossil fuel restrictions, FCC preempts state rules on legacy network retirement, and more.
SEC Watch: April 20, 2026 — Apple Names John Ternus Next CEO as Tim Cook Shifts to Executive Chair
Apple's board confirms John Ternus as next CEO with Tim Cook moving to Executive Chair on September 1, 2026. Plus Snap CFO change, Westlake CFO appointment, USA Rare Earth Brazilian…