Author: Mandy Matthews

The Israel Defense Forces recently introduced a new, fully automatic artillery howitzer into active service during combat operations in Lebanon, putting its automated loading, higher cadence of fire, and digital targeting to a real-world test under combat conditions. The system arrived with the stated goal of improving accuracy and responsiveness for ground forces operating near the border. Its automatic loading mechanism reduces manual handling, letting the gun sustain a faster, more consistent rate of fire when called upon. Units on the ground reported the howitzer was used to suppress hostile positions and respond to incoming fire during the engagement window…

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday that the United States is close to a deal that would permanently end Iran’s nuclear program, dismissing Tehran’s threats to the Strait of Hormuz. Energy Secretary Chris Wright delivered a blunt message Sunday about Iran and its nuclear ambitions, saying the United States is close to a deal that would permanently end Iran’s nuclear program. He also dismissed Tehran’s threats to the Strait of Hormuz, signaling that Washington is treating those warnings as background noise rather than a strategic deterrent. The statement reflects a confident tone from a senior official with responsibility over energy…

Pope Leo XIV challenged Angola’s leaders to break the “cycle of interests” that have plundered and exploited Africa for centuries as he arrived in the southern African country on Saturd

North Korea again launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea on Sunday, an action its neighbors reported as the latest in a steady drumbeat of weapons testing this year, and the move raises fresh questions about deterrence, alliances, and American resolve. This latest launch — described by neighbors as multiple ballistic missiles aimed at the sea on Sunday — is not an isolated incident but part of an accelerating pattern of provocative behavior from Pyongyang. For Republicans, the core concern is clear: Congress and the administration must treat these tests as evidence that deterrence needs reinforcing, not as routine diplomatic…

Donald Trump’s rise and return have reshaped American politics, transforming institutions, voter expectations, and party identity in ways that keep driving headlines and reshaping policy debates. Donald Trump upended political norms and forced the Republican Party to adapt quickly to a new, more populist cadence. He made government moves that had tangible effects, from reshaping the federal judiciary to changing trade relationships. His style broke from establishment politics and left a lasting imprint on how campaigns are run and how voters judge leaders. The most lasting institutional change is the judiciary. Through three Supreme Court appointments and dozens of appellate…

A clear-eyed look at Iran’s continuing weapons threat and what a firm U.S. response needs to include. The region still faces a serious and immediate danger from Iranian capabilities, and that requires straight talk about deterrence and intelligence. This piece lays out the scale of the threat, the gaps in current posture, and pragmatic steps to strengthen U.S. and allied defenses without flinching. It keeps to facts, numbers, and the single blunt sentence provided straight from the reporting below. “Iran’s military forces still hold stockpiles of thousands of missiles and attack drones that pose a threat to U.S. and allied…

President Trump staged a midterm-style rally aimed at young voters, held with Turning Point USA as sponsor, in a bid to energize Republican turnout. President Trump brought a campaign energy to a youth-focused event meant to lift Republican candidates and reconnect with younger voters. The crowd mix skewed energetic and on-message, with the former president delivering his usual blend of blunt lines and big-picture promises. Organizers leaned on familiar talking points about the economy, national security, and cultural issues to frame the stakes for the midterms. The tone throughout felt like a direct appeal to a generation often written off…

On an East Tennessee interstate Friday, a truck hauling more than one million bees crashed, forcing drivers to slow and leaving crews scrambling to secure the swarming insects and protect the public. The crash sent a dense cloud of bees into the roadside and onto the highway shoulder, creating a surreal scene of workers in protective gear, onlookers in cars, and bees buzzing among traffic. Motorists had to brake and weave cautiously while responders worked to contain the swarm and clear the wreckage. Officials and beekeepers moved quickly to prevent injuries and keep the situation from growing worse. Emergency teams,…

President Trump publicly slammed high-profile conservative media figures who criticized the war in Iran, calling out former allies in blunt terms while forcing a wider debate about party unity and media influence. President Trump took aim at prominent conservative commentators after they voiced opposition to the war in Iran, and he didn’t hold back in his response. In a sharp break with past alliances, he labeled his former boosters as “dumb,” “low IQ” and “mentally ill.&q This kind of direct language has become a signature of his approach to critics inside and outside the GOP. The split highlights a growing…

This article sums up the continued lapse in Department of Homeland Security funding since February 14 and reviews the April 16 congressional hearing where senior DHS officials outlined needs and priorities for the coming fiscal year. It has been more than 60 days since the Department of Homeland Security ran out of funding on February 14, and the funding picture for the current fiscal year remains unresolved. That gap is not an abstract accounting problem. It touches operations, planning, and the ability of the department to respond to emerging threats. On Thursday, April 16, top DHS officials came before Congress…