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🗳 Tariff Blowback Threatens GOP Ahead of Midterms

The Trump administration announced double-digit tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners over forced labor violations, and the move is now creating political risk for Republican candidates heading into the midterm elections.

Democrats are moving to go on the offensive over the economic impact of Trump's trade agenda, seeking to tie GOP candidates to the policy. Republicans face pressure to either defend the tariffs or distance themselves from a core White House initiative.

The development underscores how Trump's trade agenda is becoming a contested battleground in upcoming congressional races.

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🇮🇷 Iran War Polling Threatens GOP Midterm Turnout

New polling suggests the U.S. conflict with Iran is dampening enthusiasm among Republican voters ahead of the midterms, with Trump's MAGA base showing signs of opposition to the war.

The survey indicates the conflict — which has polled poorly among Americans broadly — may be eroding turnout motivation within the Republican coalition at a critical pre-election period.

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🇮🇷 U.S. Military Signals Iran Strike — Experts Doubt Impact

Signs are mounting that the U.S. military is preparing for potential large-scale operations against Iran, as President Trump threatens a major escalation.

Analysts are skeptical, however, that an intensified air campaign — even one targeting bridges, water facilities and power plants — would force Tehran to capitulate or abandon its core positions.

Experts warn that strikes on civilian infrastructure, while damaging, have historically failed to break governments or compel fundamental policy shifts, suggesting any military action could inflict severe harm without delivering a decisive strategic outcome.

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💻 Moody's Warns AI Spending Threatens Big Tech Credit Quality

Moody's has cautioned that "unprecedented" artificial intelligence investment is pressuring the credit quality of Amazon, Meta, Alphabet and other major technology companies.

The ratings agency said AI spending is forcing even the world's most cash-rich corporations to rely heavily on debt, stock sales and off-balance-sheet financing to fund their buildouts.

The warning signals that sustained AI infrastructure costs could reshape the financial profiles of Big Tech firms previously considered among the most creditworthy in the world.

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🪖 U.S. Merops Drone Downs Iranian Shahed in First Combat Use

U.S. Army soldiers in Kuwait intercepted an Iranian Shahed drone this week using the Merops counter-drone system — the first time American forces have used the system in combat against a hostile drone.

Merops, made by Project Eagle, uses a $15,000 interceptor drone guided by AI and piloted with Xbox controllers. Ukraine has used the system to down more than 1,000 Russian Shaheds. The U.S. deployed Merops to the Middle East in March at the start of the Iran war. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told lawmakers the Army purchased thousands of interceptors and aims to push the unit cost below $10,000.

At least four U.S. service members have been killed and nearly 100 injured this month as American and Iranian forces continue exchanging strikes following the collapse of a ceasefire.

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🕌 Iran Strikes U.S. Bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan — Americans Killed

Iran has attacked U.S. military infrastructure across three countries, hitting radar, communications, air-defense and aviation assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, including facilities tied to the Fifth Fleet, Camp Arifjan, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. U.S. personnel have been killed.

The strikes follow 12 consecutive nights of U.S. attacks on Iranian command centers, missile sites, air defenses and nuclear-linked facilities. Iran's assault marks a direct escalation targeting the military infrastructure underpinning U.S. power projection across the Middle East.

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🇮🇷 House Votes 214-208 to Halt Iran War — Senate Blocks It

The U.S. House passed a war powers resolution Thursday directing President Trump to halt military action against Iran unless he obtains congressional approval. The Senate voted hours later to block a similar measure.

The House vote was 214-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats to pass it. As a concurrent resolution, it does not go to the president for signature and carries disputed legal force, making it largely symbolic. Trump is expected to ignore it.

The split outcome reflects growing congressional frustration over the Iran conflict, while the Senate vote signals Republican backing for the president's continued military campaign.

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