Headlines

Associated Press

Energy War Escalates in Gulf

Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field and leadership triggered Iranian retaliation across Gulf energy sites and Israel, driving oil prices above $108, threatening Strait of Hormuz shipping, escalating regional tensions, and raising fears of broader war involving the U.S. and Gulf states.

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Michael A. Smerconish

Daily Notes: Thursday Thoughts

I’m one of the lucky ones. I flew twice in the last four days without long lines, departing from PHL and RSW. In both cases this site – tsawaittimes.com – accurately predicted my TSA wait time, which was negligible. (For the locals… when I flew out of PHL the C checkpoint was already closed…

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The Hill

Rand: “Tell It to My Face”

Sen. Rand Paul confronted Sen. Markwayne Mullin during a DHS confirmation hearing over past remarks appearing to justify an assault against Paul, questioning Mullin’s temperament and leadership fitness, while Mullin defended his comments, refused to apologize, and urged moving past their political feud.

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The Independent

Kent Tells Tucker He Blames Israel

Former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent resigned and blamed Israel for triggering the Iran war, claiming Tehran posed no imminent nuclear threat, while the Trump administration rejected his assertions, defended the conflict, and downplayed his role amid growing political divisions.

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Mediaite

Ossoff Corners Gabbard on “Imminent”

During a Senate hearing, DNI Tulsi Gabbard repeatedly sidestepped Sen. Jon Ossoff’s question on whether intelligence supported claims of an “imminent” Iranian nuclear threat, instead deferring to President Trump’s judgment, drawing criticism that she was avoiding contradicting the White House narrative.

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The New York Times

Cesar Chavez Legacy Reexamined

An investigation uncovered evidence that civil rights icon Cesar Chavez allegedly groomed and sexually abused girls and assaulted women within his movement for years, prompting canceled celebrations, public backlash, and renewed scrutiny of his legacy and those who may have enabled the misconduct.

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Fox Business

Debt Hits $39 Trillion

The U.S. national debt surpassed $39 trillion for the first time, driven by persistent deficits, rising entitlement spending, and higher interest costs, with projections showing continued rapid growth that could push debt to $63 trillion within a decade and intensify economic concerns.

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CNN

TSA Workers as Political Pawns

TSA workers have gone unpaid for weeks amid repeated government shutdowns tied to a DHS funding stalemate over immigration, with both parties trading blame while employees face financial hardship and warn they’re being used as political leverage in ongoing budget battles.

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ABC News

U.S. Radar Sites Attacked in Mideast

Satellite imagery analysis indicates Iranian drones and missiles have struck at least 10 U.S. and allied radar sites across the Middle East, potentially damaging critical missile defense systems, exposing vulnerabilities, and reducing early warning capabilities despite built-in redundancies.

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The Wall Street Journal

Theroux Unveils Manosphere Scam

A documentary on the “manosphere” reveals male influencers selling a hyper-masculine lifestyle they often don’t practice, using insecurity as a marketing tool, while profiting from followers through scams and content, leaving many young men misled and searching for identity and belonging.

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USA Today

Gen Z Embraces Boredom

Gen Z’s viral trend “rawdogging boredom” encourages sitting without distractions as a way to counter shortened attention spans from social media, with experts saying the practice can improve mindfulness, emotional processing, and focus by reintroducing intentional, tech-free moments.

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Third Way

Truth About Democratic Primary Voters

A survey of Democratic primary voters finds they are older, pragmatic, and less online than perceived, prioritizing electability, authenticity, and candidates who fight for working people, while favoring moderate, broadly appealing policies over far-left ideology.

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LA Times

Could Cali Elect a GOP Governor?

A new poll shows two Republicans narrowly leading California’s governor primary amid a fragmented Democratic field, raising the possibility of a GOP-only general election, while voter disengagement remains high and cost of living dominates as the top issue.

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Daily Kos

MAGA Food Fight: Levin vs. Kelly

A public feud between conservative media figures Mark Levin and Megyn Kelly shows growing divisions within the MAGA movement over issues like the Iran war and Israel, with the clash devolving into personal insults that underscore broader ideological and rhetorical fractures.

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NBC News

Powell Won’t Go Quietly

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said he won’t step down amid a DOJ investigation backed by Trump, as a judge blocked related subpoenas for lack of evidence, highlighting ongoing political pressure on the Fed and concerns over its independence.

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Politico

AIPAC's Mixed Verdict in Illinois

AIPAC saw mixed results in Illinois primaries, winning two races but losing key contests despite heavy spending, prompting criticism of its strategy and influence as shifting Democratic voter attitudes on Israel raise questions about its effectiveness ahead of the midterms.

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NPR

Cannabis Jury Is Still Out

A major review of cannabis research finds little high-quality evidence supporting its use for mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, revealing significant gaps in data despite widespread use, with benefits and risks varying by dosage, compounds, and patient populations.

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Study Finds

Survey: 19M Pondered Gun Violence

A national survey suggests about 19 million Americans have seriously thought about shooting someone, with millions reporting recent thoughts and some taking steps toward action, indicating a much larger at-risk population than actual gun violence and pointing to potential early intervention opportunities.

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Variety

Meghan & Harry’s Netflix Journey

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s partnership with Netflix appears strained after years of inconsistent content, internal friction, and shifting strategy, with declining performance and industry skepticism raising questions about their long-term future in Hollywood.

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The Hollywood Reporter

Valerie Cherish Is Back

Lisa Kudrow is reviving Valerie Cherish for a final season of “The Comeback” using the character’s return to satirize Hollywood’s AI anxieties while reflecting on aging, fame, and the enduring creative bond between Kudrow and one of her most beloved roles.

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