Author: Karen Givens

Global energy markets were shaken Monday by an escalation of conflict in the Middle East, with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran contributing to sharp increases in crude oil and natural gas prices amid renewed concerns over supply and regional stability. Markets reacted quickly as traders priced in the risk of wider disruption to shipping lanes and production facilities. Crude and natural gas climbed on the immediate threat to supply chains that already run thin. Investors and policymakers are watching for a sustained impact on energy costs. The U.S. involvement alongside Israel marks a notable shift in how Washington is…

The Iran soccer federation president says he is unsure whether the national team can safely play World Cup matches in the United States after a surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment of Iran, raising fresh questions about security, diplomacy, and the place of sport amid escalating tensions. The announcement from Tehran’s football leadership landed in the middle of fast-moving geopolitical developments, and it underlines how quickly politics can spill onto the pitch. Organizers, federations, and fans are now left to weigh safety, travel logistics, and diplomatic fallout. For a global tournament, uncertainty of this kind is disruptive and costly. The safety…

Israel’s strikes on Beirut after cross-border missile fire mark a sharp escalation, and the U.S. and regional partners are watching closely as risks of wider conflict grow. This piece lays out what happened, the likely motivations, and what a strong, clear response looks like from a responsible perspective. “Israel launched a barrage of strikes on Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired missiles across the border early Monday.” That description captures the immediate trigger, but the situation is layered with decades of hostile behavior from Hezbollah and its backers. A measured but firm response is how governments…

The United States and Israel launched a coordinated, large-scale strike on targets inside Iran at 1:15 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, an operation labeled Operation Epic Fury by the Americans and Roaring Lion by Israel, and this action marks a sharp turn from diplomacy toward decisive military pressure. The move signals a new phase in U.S.-Iran relations and raises urgent questions about strategy, escalation, and American interests in the region. This article lays out the facts, the likely motives, and the immediate strategic implications through a clear, conservative lens. The time for substantive talks between the US and Iran has come…

Operation Epic Fury began with a coordinated US and Israeli missile strike against Iranian targets, timed at roughly 9 a.m. local — about 12:30 a.m. Eastern — and met with immediate Iranian retaliation across the Middle East, creating a volatile, fast-moving situation that has regional and global consequences. At first light local time, forces from the United States and Israel carried out a joint missile operation identified as Operation Epic Fury, hitting multiple sites inside Iran. The attack was launched at 9 a.m. local, which translates to about 12:30 a.m. Eastern, and targeted several locations tied to Iran’s military capabilities.…

Childhood obesity rates are climbing even as adult obesity trends edge the other direction, creating a new set of public health puzzles and concerns. Childhood obesity is serious. Adults may ooh and ahh and pinch chubby cheeks, remarking how cute kids are, but the extra weight can lead to a lifetime of health problems. A recent study showed that obesity in children has reached record highs, while adult obesity appears to be declining in some groups. The gap between rising childhood rates and falling adult rates raises questions about how lifestyles and environments have shifted for different generations. Kids today…

The People’s Forum, one of two leftist domestic groups identified by the State Department as linked to China, called Saturday for holding mass protests against the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. The first thing to note is how unsettling it is that a domestic organization flagged by the State Department for ties to China is publicly mobilizing people over foreign policy. That raises obvious questions about influence, motives, and who benefits from stirring unrest here at home. From a Republican viewpoint, that combination deserves scrutiny and straightforward answers. When an organization with alleged foreign links urges mass demonstrations, that is not…

FBI Director Kash Patel has dismissed multiple bureau employees linked to the August 2022 Mar-a-Lago search, a move that follows revelations about the agency’s internal handling of that probe and the secret collection of phone records from his circle during the prior administration. Kash Patel has moved to remove agents and staff tied to the Mar-a-Lago operation, a personnel shakeup that Republicans view as overdue accountability. At least six agents who participated in the raid were fired at Patel’s direction, with three sources telling NBC that the total reached at least ten employees when support staff and supervisors were included.…

An injured mother manatee and her calf were rescued this week from a river in Florida and taken to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation, officials said. The pair are now under veterinary care while teams assess injuries and plan treatment. Recovery will focus on stabilizing the adults while ensuring the calf receives appropriate nourishment and care. The rescue teams found an injured adult manatee with a dependent calf in a Florida river, and both were transported to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation, officials said. Vets will evaluate the mother’s wounds and overall health, while also checking the calf for signs of trauma…

President Joe Biden traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, to attend a reception tied to his unexpectedly strong 2020 primary showing, where state Democrats gathered to thank him for nearly 50 years in public life. President Biden showed up in Columbia for a reception that celebrated his surprising 2020 primary victory, a moment his party chose to mark as a kind of milestone. The event brought together state Democratic officials and local supporters who framed the gathering as gratitude for a long career. Republicans watching see a different message — this feels like a farewell tour more than a routine political…