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Israel and Iran launch new strikes, U.S. braces for retaliation after ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ hits Iranian nuclear sites

After the United States entered the war between Israel and Iran by striking three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, the world is bracing for Iran’s response.

White House officials confirmed over the weekend that B-2 bombers dropped a number of Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs — known as “bunker busters” — during the U.S. mission over Iran. President Trump said on Sunday said that “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran,”

On Monday, Israel launched further assaults throughout Iran today, hitting airports in western, eastern and central Iran as well as notorious Evin Prison in the capital, Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces said Monday that Israeli warplanes had also struck six airports in Iran, “as part of the effort to expand air superiority over Iranian skies,” targeting runways, various aircraft and underground hangers.

Iran also launched a new wave of missiles at Israel on Monday, sending people to bomb shelters across the country. Dozens of missiles were reportedly launched at Israel, with impacts in at least two sites in the northern port city of Haifa and on a road in the southern city of Ashdod.

The Iranian foreign minister met with President Vladimir Putin today in Russia, with whom he said Iran will coordinate its response to U.S. and Israeli strikes.

For the latest developments on the conflict in the Middle East, head to your preferred news outlet: CBSNews, ABCNews, NBCNews, CNN.

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FedEx founder and former CEO Fred Smith dies at age 80

Fred Smith, the visionary founder of FedEx Corp. who transformed the landscape of express shipping, has passed away at the age of 80, the company confirmed. Smith stepped down as CEO in 2022 but continued to serve as executive chairman.

Raj Subramaniam, FedEx’s CEO, in a statement: “Fred was more than just the pioneer of an industry and the founder of our great company. He was the heart and soul of FedEx – its PSP culture, values, integrity, and spirit. He was a mentor to many and a source of inspiration to all.”

Launched in 1973, FedEx set itself apart by delivering parcels and documents much faster than the traditional postal service. Smith, a Yale graduate from the class of 1966, joined the Marines after graduating from college where he served two tours in Vietnam. He left the service in 1969 as a captain, having been honored for his bravery and injuries sustained in combat.  He based his business model on a concept he developed while still a student. The idea centered on a centralized air cargo network supported by a single hub, known today as the “hub and spokes” system.

Over the next 50 years, Smith led the company’s evolution into a global logistics powerhouse. By combining air and ground transportation in a seamless network, FedEx became a key player in the global economy and relied on by countless businesses.

In its early days, Federal Express operated 14 small planes out of Memphis International Airport, delivering packages to 25 cities across the U.S. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, FedEx now handles around 17 million shipments on an average workday. The company was instrumental in pushing American businesses toward faster delivery models and reduced dependence on large-scale inventory and warehousing. The shift to time-sensitive logistics helped shape the modern supply chain.

Smith once explained to The Associated Press that he chose the name “Federal Express” because he wanted the startup to sound substantial and trustworthy—even though the company’s future was anything but guaranteed. He was aiming to secure a major shipping deal with the Federal Reserve Bank at the time, though that particular contract never materialized.

Smith largely stayed out of the spotlight, preferring to focus on his work and family life. He did, however, make a brief appearance in the 2000 film Cast Away, which starred Tom Hanks as a FedEx employee stranded on a remote island. Smith and his family quietly contributed to many causes, including a donation to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation which established a new scholarship program for children of Navy personnel pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee said that “Memphis has lost its most important citizen, Fred Smith. FedEx is the engine of our economy, and Fred Smith was its visionary founder. But more than that, he was a dedicated citizen who cared deeply about our city.”

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Country Daypop

Chris Stapleton shares ‘Bad As I Used To Be’ from ‘F1 The Album’

Chris Stapleton has shared the new song “Bad as I Used to Be,” which appears on the F1 film soundtrack. “Bad as I Used to Be” marks Stapleton’s first solo song since the release of his 2023 album Higher.

Stapleton’s anthem is the latest release from ‘F1 The Album’, which also features artists Tate McRae, Rosé, Don Toliver with Doja Cat, Madison Beer, Tiësto, and Sexyy Red, Roddy Ricch, and Ed Sheeran on the soundtrack for the Brad Pitt-starring racing movie.

The film F1 is directed and produced by Joseph Kosinski alongside co-executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and stars Pitt as driver Sonny Hayes, who agrees to come out of retirement to help his friend and former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) save his struggling racing team, Apex Grand Prix. His new teammate, Joshua “Noah” Pearce (Damson Idris), is a rookie upstart with all the raw talent and none of the experience, and the two will battle for the checkered flag in a cutthroat sport where no one shares a podium — much less a championship. The film is set to premiere on June 27, with the full soundtrack set to drop the same day.

See the official visualizer for Bad as I Used to Be: HERE.

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2025 Hondo Rodeo Fest to feature Nickelback, Jon Pardi, Riley Green, Jason Aldean and more

The three-day Hondo Rodeo Fest is returning to Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks in downtown Phoenix, with the second annual event taking place on Nov. 7-9.

This year’s performers include some of the biggest names in country music — Jason Aldean, Cody Johnson, Treaty Oak Revival, Jon Pardi and Riley Green — alongside Canadian rockers Nickelback.

The Hondo Rodeo featured world champion riders across eight categories competing for a $1 million prize purse and Cord McCoy’s world-renowned roster of bucking bulls. During the day, fans could experience a free Western culture fan festival with more music, food, shopping and other highlights. The Hondo Rodeo Fest features a rodeo competition and a nightly, “full two-hour country music concert.” According to event officials, the rodeo performances include Bareback, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc, Tie Down, Breakaway, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding.

James Trawick, CEO of The Hondo Rodeo Fest, shares: “We are excited to bring the world’s best rodeo athletes and country music stars back to the home of The Hondo Rodeo Fest, Phoenix, Arizona! Mark your calendars and plan to bring the whole family.”.

Tickets are on sale at the festival’s official website.

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Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson appear in first-look images for ‘Song Sung Blue’

Focus Features offered a first look at the ‘Neil Diamond tribute band’ drama film Song Sung Blue, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Song Sung Blue is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by director Greg Kohs.

Jackman and Hudson star as a pair of musicians who form a Neil Diamond tribute band; a photo shared on Instagram shows the duo in costume performing on stage. An official synopsis states it tells the true story of “two down-on-their-luck musicians” who find success in forming a Neil Diamond tribute band, “proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams.”

The film, directed by Craig Brewer, also stars Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.

Song Sung Blue will hit U.S. theaters on Christmas Day 2025.

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Entertainment Daypop

Julia Garner stars in trailer for the horror film ‘Weapons’

Warner Bros. has released the trailer for Weapons, a new horror film from ‘Barbarian’ writer-director Zach Cregger.

Writer-director Cregger also produces, alongside Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules. Michelle Morrissey and Josh Brolin serve as executive producers.

Julia Garner stars in the film as a teacher who arrives at school to find her entire class has gone missing overnight, and the mystery deepens as some parents cast suspicions on the teacher. An official synopsis reads: “When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.”  The film also stars Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong and Amy Madigan.

‘Weapons’ premiers in theaters on Aug. 8; see the trailer – HERE.

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‘Little Remedies’ children’s cough syrup recalled over possible bacterial contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration shared in an alert that a children’s cough syrup from the brand Little Remedies is being recalled due to microbial contamination.

Medtech Products Inc., the brands’ manufacturer, voluntarily issued the recall of its Little Remedies® Honey Cough Syrup after it learned it could be contaminated with Bacillus cereus, which can cause two types of food-borne illnesses, and loss of shelf-stability. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea starting between one and 16 hours after exposure to a contaminated product.  The FDA stated that “although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term illness, exposure to high levels of foodborne B. cereus can cause death.”

The product, “Little Remedies® Honey Cough Syrup” with item number 7-56184-10737-9, was distributed nationwide in retailers and online from Dec. 14, 2022 through June 4, 2025.  The cough syrup is packaged in a 4-fluid-ounce amber bottle in an outer carton, with the lot code on both the bottle label and on the bottom of the carton. Officials said the cough syrup is intended for use by children 1 year and older.

The impacted lot numbers and expiration dates are as follows:

Lot # 0039 – Expiry date 11/2025
Lot # 0545 – Expiry date 01/2026
Lot # 0640 – Expiry date 02/2026
Lot # 0450 – Expiry date 05/2026
Lot # 1198 – Expiry date 12/2026

The recall does not include any other Little Remedies® products. The FDA noted that no serious adverse events have been reported, but consumers who have the product should stop using it immediately. If you’ve experienced any problems that may be related to the recalled product, the FDA advises contacting your healthcare provider.

Consumers with refund requests or questions can contact Medtech via email at medicalaffairs@prestigebrands.com, through its website at www.prestigebrands.com or by phone at (800) 754-8853.

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President Trump extends TikTok ban deadline for third time

President Donald Trump issued a new executive order on Thursday, granting TikTok an additional 90 days to continue operating in the United States, providing more time for his administration to finalize a deal to be sold to a US entity – or banned from the country. This marks the third time Trump has extended the platform’s operating window.

Trump announced the extension on Truth Social on Thursday, emphasizing his desire to keep the app available to U.S. users, writing: “I’ve just signed the Executive Order extending the Deadline for the TikTok closing for 90 days (September 17, 2025). Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

TikTok has become a central part of Trump’s outreach, especially to younger voters—he joined the platform last year and has since gained more than 15 million followers. Back in January, he mentioned he has a “soft spot” for the app.  White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement on Thursday: “As he has said many times, President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark. This extension will last 90 days, which the administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure.”

A congressionally mandated ban on the app was initially due to take effect on January 20; the app went dark for just 14 hours in the U.S. due to a national ban passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court, before Trump issued a reprieve.  The second delay occurred in April, during talks to restructure TikTok as a U.S.-owned entity. Those negotiations collapsed when China withdrew from the agreement following Trump’s announcement of new tariffs.

TikTok, owned by Chinese tech firm ByteDance, said in a statement: “We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership and support in ensuring that TikTok continues to be available for more than 170 million American users and 7.5 million U.S. businesses that rely on the platform as we continue to work with Vice President Vance’s Office.”

Public opinion on TikTok is divided; a new Pew Research Center poll found that only about one in three Americans currently support banning the app—a notable drop from 50% in support back in March 2023. Among those in favor of a ban, the vast majority (roughly 80%) pointed to serious concerns over data privacy and national security as their main motivation, according to Pew’s findings.

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Country Daypop

Country Music Association reveals lineup for 2025 ‘CMA Fest’ televised special

The Country Music Association and ABC Television Network have revealed the star-studded lineup for the “CMA Fest presented by SoFi” primetime concert television special, co-hosted by Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde.

Featured performers include: Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, BigXthaPlug, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, Riley Green, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Marcus King, Brandon Lake, Ella Langley, Carín León, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Scotty McCreery, Megan Moroney, Carly Pearce, Rascal Flatts, The Red Clay Strays, Darius Rucker, Dylan Scott, Shaboozey, Blake Shelton, Zach Top, Travis Tritt, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman.

The three-hour concert event will air on Thursday, June 26th at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC, as well as stream the next day on Hulu.

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Jensen Ackles stars in trailer for new Prime Video series ‘Countdown’

Prime Video is sharing the trailer for the new series Countdown, starring Jensen Ackles as LAPD detective Mark Meachum, who is recruited into a secret task force to investigate the murder of a Department of Homeland Security officer.

The show’s official logline reads, “When an officer with the Department of Homeland Security is murdered in broad daylight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum is recruited to a secret task force, alongside undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement, to investigate. But the hunt for the killer soon uncovers a plot far more sinister than anyone could have imagined, kicking off a race against time to save a city of millions.”

Countdown is created, executive produced and showrun by Derek Haas, and also stars Eric Dane, Jessica Camacho, Violett Beane, Elliot Knight and Uli Latukefu.

As previously announced, the series will launch with its first three episodes on June 25, with new episodes to follow weekly, leading up to the season finale on Sept. 3. See the trailer: HERE.

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