Author: Thomas L. Knapp

Source: US News & World Report

“U.S. Secretary of ⁠Defense ⁠Pete Hegseth canceled a meeting ⁠that had been scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the possible ​sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israeli source ‌told Reuters. Any such sale would ‌likely anger Israeli officials. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due ⁠to the ⁠sensitivity of the matter, said Hegseth had also been scheduled to meet ​Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on a trip to Israel and that Iran would feature in their discussions. … In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he opposed the sale of F-35s to Turkey, and that he had ⁠made his opposition clear to Trump.” (07/08/26)

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-07-08/hegseth-to-meet-netanyahu-over-possible-sale-of-f-35s-to-turkey-source-tells-reuters

Source: New York Post

“Graham Platner seems not to like taking no for an answer. The head of the Maine Democratic Party accused the embattled Senate candidate and alleged rapist late Tuesday of trying to put his ‘thumb on the scale’ as the party scrambles to find a replacement ahead of the November election. … ‘We have repeatedly reiterated to Graham Platner’s team that they have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for the US Senate, nor in determining what this process looks like,’ [MDP Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson said]. ‘We have also reiterated that Graham Platner must drop out of this race, so that Democrats in Maine can focus on defeating Susan Collins this November. ‘We look forward to making this process public as soon as Graham Platner formally withdraws from this race.'” (07/08/26)

https://nypost.com/2026/07/08/us-news/graham-platner-trying-to-put-his-thumb-on-the-scale-as-maine-democrats-look-for-replacement-senate-candidate-state-party-claims/

Source: South China Morning Post [Hong Kong]

“A year since the dust settled on the Singapore general election, leadership resignations in two small opposition parties signal a period of post-poll recalibration after disappointing results. The once-promising Progress Singapore Party (PSP), led by ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) defector Tan Cheng Bock, was dealt an ‘existential blow’ on Monday, analysts say, following the resignations of two central executive committee members. … Also on Monday, People’s Power Party (PPP) announced its secretary general, Goh Meng Seng, had been replaced by William Lim Lian Chin. Goh had said he would step down after his team’s dismal showing in the four-way contest in the Tampines constituency.” (07/08/26)

https://archive.is/3I0LD

Source: The Hill

“An appeals court on Wednesday denied President Trump’s bid to pause the removal of his name from the Kennedy Center while he challenges a lower court ruling. A three-judge panel determined the administration’s lawyers did not prove the president or the performing arts center would suffer irreparable harm if his name was removed from the venue as ordered. … Judge Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee, and Judges Patricia Millett and Robert Wilkins, both Obama appointees, denied the Trump administration’s motion for a stay pending appeal.” (07/08/26)

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5959655-trump-kennedy-center-name-appeals-court/