Headlines

Axios

US and Iran in Direct Talks

U.S. and Iranian officials have reestablished a direct communication channel amid the ongoing war, though both sides dispute who initiated the outreach and how substantive the exchanges have been.

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Michael A. Smerconish

Daily Thoughts: Tuesday's Take

Monday’s poll result is another head scratcher and sign of our political divide. (I’m always the first to say that our polls are not scientific, but still pretty damn interesting.) So, on Monday I asked if the U.S. …

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The Wall Street Journal

Iranian Crackdown Intensifies

Iran’s government has launched a sweeping crackdown—marked by mass arrests, armed patrols, internet blackouts, and shoot-to-kill threats—to suppress dissent and prevent a potential uprising amid mounting pressure from U.S. and Israeli attacks.

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New York Post

Not That There's Anything Wrong With It

Trump reportedly reacted with surprise and laughter after being briefed on U.S. intelligence suggesting Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may be gay—an allegation sources say was also a concern for his father regarding his suitability to lead.

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Stu Bykofsky

Confounded by Poll Result

Monday’s Smerconish.com and CNN audience poll showing most viewers believe the U.S. is losing the war in Iran has sparked debate, as Stu Bykofsky argues Iran’s heavy military losses suggest the opposite.

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CNN

Cuba Power Grid Collapse

Trump floated the idea of “taking Cuba” as the island plunged into a nationwide blackout amid a deepening energy crisis worsened by a U.S. oil blockade, leaving residents with widespread shortages and uncertainty.

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Times of Israel

Bet Threats Over Iran Story

Emanuel Fabian, a Times of Israel reporter says he was targeted with harassment and death threats from gamblers trying to pressure him into altering a missile report to influence a high-stakes Polymarket bet.

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USA Today

March Madness Bracket Tips

Using decades of tournament data, NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament trends suggest favoring top seeds early, sprinkling in a handful of strategic upsets, and ultimately picking a No. 1 seed as the most likely path to a winning bracket.

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The Telegraph

King Charles Spins the Decks

King Charles III showed off his DJ skills during a visit to Manchester, stepping behind the decks to highlight his charity’s work supporting young people in the creative industries.

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StudyFinds

End Times Beliefs Surge

Roughly one-third of Americans believe they are living in the end times, with apocalyptic views shaping how people perceive risks and support extreme responses to global threats.

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The Wall Street Journal

The Irish Exit Debate

An “Irish goodbye”—quietly slipping out of a gathering without formal farewells—can be not rude but considerate, depending on context, sparing hosts disruption at large events while remaining inappropriate in more intimate or professional settings where acknowledgment matters.

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The New York Times

Dinner and No Drinks

As Americans—especially younger generations—drink less due to health concerns, costs, and shifting habits, restaurants are losing a crucial high-margin revenue stream, forcing them to adapt with nonalcoholic offerings and new strategies that often can’t fully replace declining alcohol sales.

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The Washington Post

AI's Job Impact Uncertain

As artificial intelligence becomes more capable, some jobs may remain in demand while others—particularly white-collar jobs and clerical roles—decline. Web designers and secretaries are more at risk than janitors, according to one recent study.

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NBC News

Bovino Retires From Border Patrol

Gregory Bovino, a prominent figure in Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, is set to retire after being removed from a top leadership role amid controversy over aggressive enforcement tactics, legal challenges, and fatal incidents tied to operations he oversaw.

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The Hollywood Reporter

Jane Fonda on Robert Redford

Jane Fonda joked that she should have delivered the Academy Awards tribute to Robert Redford instead of Barbra Streisand, saying their collaboration on four films versus Streisand’s one gave her “more to say” about the late actor.

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Mediaite

POTUS, Which POTUS?

After President Donald Trump claimed he had spoken with a former president about the Iran strikes, aides for George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden all denied any such conversation, casting doubt on his account.

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ABC News

Judge Blocks Vaccine Changes

A federal judge temporarily blocked Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s sweeping changes to childhood vaccine policy— including reducing recommended shots and reshaping advisory leadership—ruling the moves bypassed established scientific and legal processes.

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Politico

Wiles Faces Cancer With Resolve

Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer but plans to continue serving as White House chief of staff while undergoing treatment, with President Trump highlighting her strong prognosis and praising her resilience and dedication to the role.

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The Hill

Trump vs. Newsom: Dyslexia Debate

President Donald Trump said California Governor Gavin Newsom’s dyslexia should disqualify him from the presidency, drawing backlash as Newsom mocked the remarks and defended his lifelong learning disability.

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CBS News

Generous Tip for Elderly Driver

A viral video of a 78-year-old DoorDash driver in Tennessee inspired a homeowner and thousands of strangers to raise nearly $1 million, helping him ease financial burdens after years of working long hours in retirement.

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