UNITED STATES BRIEFING

Cooper, Whatley set November match-up in North Carolina Senate race

• ⬤ Michael Whatley
• ⬤ Roy Cooper
• ⬤ November match-up

Trump says more than 9,000 Americans have returned from Middle East since launch of Operation Epic Fury

• ⬤ Over 9,000 Americans have returned from the Middle East since Operation Epic Fury began.
• ⬤ The US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran as part of the operation.
• ⬤ President Trump announced the return of Americans from the Middle East on Tuesday.

Alexander brothers used wealth to lure, drug and rape women and girls, prosecutor says

• ⬤ Alexander brothers used wealth to lure, drug and rape women and girls
• ⬤ Prosecutor says brothers bragged about exploits in blog posts
• ⬤ Tactics included humiliation, 'It's not rape if' titles

A large immigration detention camp in Texas is closed to visitors amid measles outbreak

• ⬤ A large immigration detention camp in Texas has been closed to visitors and attorneys due to a measles outbreak
• ⬤ The camp's closure is a response to the outbreak, which has affected at least 100 people
• ⬤ The camp is a holding facility for migrant children and families who are seeking asylum in the United States

Fearing GOP upset, top California Democrat urges lagging candidates for governor to drop out of race

• ⬤ California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon urges Republican candidates to drop out of the governor's race due to a potential Republican win.
• ⬤ California Democrats are concerned about the possibility of a Republican candidate winning the election due to the state's electoral system.
• ⬤ Rendon's call comes as the November 8 election approaches and his party's candidates trail in the polls.

Change in primary voting rules leads to confusion in 2 Texas counties as voters are turned away

• ⬤ Voters in two major Texas counties were turned away at polling locations due to a change in primary voting rules.
• ⬤ The change created confusion among voters and led to frustration.
• ⬤ Poll workers were directing voters to different precincts based on the new rules.

A property tax revolt spreads across states, but election-year cuts hit opposition

• ⬤ Property tax revolt spreads across states
• ⬤ Election-year cuts hit opposition to local government and public school funding
• ⬤ States consider new tax-cutting plans

Internal DHS watchdog: Noem is obstructing our work

• ⬤ Internal DHS watchdog: Noem is obstructing our work
• ⬤ Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog warns of obstruction
• ⬤ Agency's investigations hindered by withholdings and interference

War in the Gulf, Ripples in the Red Sea: Somaliland as the Strategic Cente

• ⬤ US-Israel conflict spurs regional tensions
• ⬤ Iran's interests in the Red Sea
• ⬤ Somaliland's strategic importance

Top Ten Semiconductor Vendors 2025

High-frequency biparental inheritance of plant mitochondria upon chilling stress and loss of a genome-degrading nuclease

• ⬤ Mitochondria can be inherited from both parents under certain conditions.
• ⬤ Biparental inheritance can rescue mitochondrial mutations.
• ⬤ This phenomenon can generate novel mitochondria with improved function.

Publisher Correction: Motif-based substrate mapping of the receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase BIK1 reveals novel components and regulatory nodes of plant immunity

• ⬤ BIK1 receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase plays a key role in plant immunity.
• ⬤ The study reveals novel components and regulatory nodes of plant immunity.
• ⬤ New insights into the function of BIK1 in plant defense mechanisms have been gained.

Engineered TnpB boosts virus-mediated editing

• ⬤ Virus-mediated gene editing is enhanced by an engineered TnpB variant.
• ⬤ The TnpB variant is heritable, tissue culture-free and transgene-free.
• ⬤ The discovery could revolutionize the field of gene editing.

A trial seeks to tie Iranian paramilitary to alleged assassination plot in U.S.

• ⬤ U.S. prosecutors claim Iran's Revolutionary Guard was involved in a foiled 2024 assassination plot targeting former President Donald Trump.
• ⬤ The alleged plot involved a former Iranian intelligence officer and a U.S. citizen
• ⬤ The case is the latest in a series of tensions between the U.S. and Iran since the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

FACT FOCUS: Misrepresented images as Iran war progresses

• ⬤ Misrepresented images of Iranian casualties are circulating online.
• ⬤ Photos and videos of Iranian military equipment are being mislabeled as civilian casualties.
• ⬤ Social media platforms are struggling to track and remove the false content.

Polls start closing in today's primaries in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas

• ⬤ Polls are closing in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas
• ⬤ Voters cast ballots in the 2026 midterm primaries
• ⬤ The start of the 2026 election cycle is underway

Eileen Gu reflects on decision to leave Team USA for China: 'A lot of people just don't understand'

• ⬤ Eileen Gu reflects on decision to leave Team USA for China
• ⬤ Gu ties decision to promoting women's sports and inspiring young girls
• ⬤ Gu says many people don't understand her choice

Trump says NYC Mayor Mamdani made 'big progress' embracing Declaration of Independence

• ⬤ President Trump praises NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's shift in tone
• ⬤ Mamdani made 'big progress' in embracing the Declaration of Independence
• ⬤ Trump uses Oval Office meeting to highlight the significance of the shift

OU basketball vs Missouri score, live updates from Sooners-Tigers

• ⬤ OU basketball looks to extend winning streak against Missouri
• ⬤ The Sooners are 15-14 overall and 5-11 in the SEC
• ⬤ Missouri is 21-8 overall and 10-6 in conference play

Bissell's new robot vacuum is a must-have for pet owners

• ⬤ Bissell releases 2-in-1 hybrid robot vacuum for pet owners
• ⬤ Collects dust, removes pet hair, revitalizes messy spaces
• ⬤ Hands-free housekeeping solution for spring allergy season

History takes flight with Freedom Plane across 8 US cities

• ⬤ Freedom Plane embarks on US tour with historical documents
• ⬤ The tour is set to visit eight US cities, including Washington, DC, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and St. Louis
• ⬤ The aircraft's interior is designed to resemble a National Archives building, with display cases and climate-controlled storage for the historical artifacts

Bill Clinton speaks on hot tub photo in Epstein testimony

• ⬤ Bill Clinton says he was unaware of hot tub photos
• ⬤ Photographs show Clinton with unidentified woman
• ⬤ Images were released as part of Jeffrey Epstein files

OU softball vs North Texas live score updates from…

• ⬤ OU softball looks to continue its power-hitting ways against North Texas, the Sooners have 86 home runs this season.
• ⬤ The Sooners are seeking a win in the series against the Mean Green, who are 2-0 so far.
• ⬤ A matchup of top-25 teams sets up a intriguing game for the Big 12 Conference rivals.

No proof offered in claims Pike Off OTA made death threats

• ⬤ No evidence of death threats reported
• ⬤ Supporters of toll road say officials facing intimidation
• ⬤ Demolition of homes in Norman for expansion continues

'Red Solo Cups' lifted in nod to Toby Keith at naming of Norman expressway

• ⬤ Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers and officials toast with Red Solo cups at a meeting
• ⬤ The gesture is a nod to country music star Toby Keith
• ⬤ The cups are a symbol of appreciation for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Senate committee rejects bill requiring transparency from OSSAA

• ⬤ Oklahoma Senate Education Committee rejects bill requiring transparency from OSSAA
• ⬤ Proposal would have made OSSAA records and audits public
• ⬤ Bill fails to advance 6-4 vote

A look at each Class A boys basketball team in 2026 state tournament

• ⬤ Tahlequah Sequoyah
• ⬤ Duncan
• ⬤ Ketchum

Texas GOP Sen. Cornyn tries to hold his seat while Democrats Crockett, Talarico face off for Senate

• ⬤ Texas voters cast ballots in Senate primary
• ⬤ Sen. John Cornyn faces challenge from Democrats
• ⬤ Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn seeks re-election

Fearing GOP upset, top California Democrat urges lagging candidates for governor to drop out of race

• ⬤ California State Party Chair Rusty Hicks is urging Democratic candidates to drop out of the governor's race
• ⬤ A large Democratic field could dilute the party's chances in the election
• ⬤ Hicks fears a crowded field could lead to a GOP upset

Ukraine war briefing: Merz tells Trump Ukraine must not give up more territory

• ⬤ German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Ukraine must not give up more territory
• ⬤ He made the comments during a meeting with US President Joe Biden
• ⬤ Trump says Ukraine is 'very high' on his priority list for aid and support