Author: Rana McCallister

The Pentagon on Wednesday signed framework agreements with four defense contractors to mass-produce low-cost cruise and hypersonic missiles, aiming to boost U.S. stockpiles and speed delivery. The Pentagon’s move to lock in framework agreements with four defense contractors marks a deliberate push to scale production of both cruise and hypersonic missiles. Officials framed the step as an effort to expand domestic stockpiles and reduce unit costs through higher production rates and standardized designs. The program couples acquisition pressure with industrial base incentives to make more weapons available faster. Low-cost cruise missiles have been a priority because they can be produced…

After a Nashville protest over congressional redistricting spiraled out of control, the Republican speaker of the Tennessee House removed Democratic lawmakers from all standing committees and subcommittees for their involvement in the demonstration. The protest began as opposition to a redistricting plan and quickly became a chaotic scene in Nashville, disrupting legislative activity and drawing public attention. Organizers intended to make a point about district lines, but the event escalated beyond peaceful assembly and interfered with the normal operations of government. The speaker responded decisively, framing the removals as a necessary step to restore order. That move has reshaped committee…

New national polling shows Marco Rubio leading JD Vance among Republican voters, a reversal from last winter, with Trump publicly weighing a Vance‑Rubio pairing even as he stops short of an endorsement. The latest AtlasIntel survey, conducted May 4 and 7 with 2,069 American adults, puts Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead among Republican respondents with 45.4% to Vice President JD Vance’s 29.6%. That marks a dramatic flip from the same pollster’s December numbers, when Vance led Rubio 46.7% to 22.6%. The new snapshot also shows Ron DeSantis at 11.2%, 10.3% undecided or preferring someone else, and Vivek Ramaswamy at…

Eleven people survived a plane crash off the coast of Florida and spent five hours adrift on a life raft as a thunderstorm approached, surviving without any way to call for help and unsure if rescue would arrive. They spent five hours in a liferaft after the plane went down, fully exposed to open water and changing weather, and we can picture the anxiety that comes with not knowing if help is on the way. Being adrift with no means of communication strips away certainty and forces people to focus on immediate survival tasks. Even short stretches of time in…

The Washington Nationals added a new roster member with four legs, a canine presence that has strolled into the clubhouse and into fan conversations about mascots, morale, and how animals fit into professional sports spaces. When a dog shows up at a major league clubhouse, it changes the energy in a single afternoon. Players and staff tend to relax, conversations shift to lighter topics, and social media lights up with photos and short videos that capture the moment. Teams increasingly bring animals into training and game-day environments for a simple reason: they work. Whether acting as a low-key mascot, a…

The House Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat has kicked off an inquiry into claims that the Department of Justice paid out millions to pro-Trump FBI agents who were fired during the Biden administration, and that move has opened a political fight over accountability, partisan influence, and how taxpayer money is being spent. The allegation is straightforward: millions of dollars were reportedly directed to former FBI personnel described as pro-Trump after they lost their jobs under the Biden administration. That claim alone raises plain questions about motive and process. People across the aisle should want clarity about whether taxpayer funds were used…

Federal intelligence agencies convened with local and federal law enforcement to review security plans ahead of the international tournament, focusing on layered protections for stadiums, transit hubs, and large public gatherings. Federal intelligence officials on Tuesday coordinated with law enforcement authorities to go over security protocols before the FIFA World Cup kicks off next month. That briefing brought together federal, state, and local partners to align operational priorities and clarify who leads what when crowds start arriving. Officials emphasized a layered approach that mixes visible policing with intelligence-driven moves behind the scenes. The meeting underscored three priorities: protecting venues, securing…

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged prominent donor Fay Beydoun with 16 felony counts tied to a $20 million state grant, alleging the funds were diverted to personal use and false reporting amid what she called “political cronyism with minimal oversight.” Beydoun, 62, of Farmington Hills, was arraigned at the 47th District Court and released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond with an order to surrender her passport and remain in Michigan. Her next court date, a pre-exam conference, is scheduled for May 20 at 1:30 p.m. The charges are allegations, and she is entitled to a presumption of…

President Trump said Tuesday that rising U.S. living costs are not forcing him to make peace with Iran, and he insisted his only motivation in negotiations is to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear President Trump made a blunt point: short-term economic pain at home will not push him into a deal that leaves Tehran stronger and closer to a nuclear capability. From a Republican viewpoint, national security must come before political convenience or optics. He framed negotiations as a tool to stop a strategic threat, not as a response to inflation or price spikes. That stance reflects a broader…

President Trump and Xi Jinping meet in a summit heavy on ceremony and optics, with observers warning that concrete wins for American security and economic leverage are unlikely without clear enforcement and allied coordination. The summit will be staged as a big diplomatic event, with both leaders eager to show control and normalcy. Expect speeches, photo ops, and carefully managed interactions that aim to calm markets and claim momentum for negotiation. Real, enforceable progress is a different matter and will depend on follow-through beyond the cameras. On trade, the central questions are whether China will take meaningful steps on intellectual…