https://drudge.com/user/sitzkrieg New links and comments. en-us http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Wordzilla/0.58 10 https://drudge.com/news/293354/soft-coup-iran https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/18/middleeast/iran-hardliners-coup-warning-us-truce-intl-cmd As Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian walked alongside the coffin of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran last week, some of the black-clad mourners surrounding him chanted not in tribute to the late leader, but directly at him " "death to the compromiser." Not far from that site, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's top diplomat who negotiated a ceasefire with the Trump administration and lifted some sanctions on the Islamic Republic, was forced to flee the funeral after a mob pelted him with rocks amid death chants accusing him of being a "traitorous sellout." The hostility directed at top officials during the funeral reflects a theory that has been gaining traction within the Islamic Republic's most radical factions for months: that Iran's wartime leaders who negotiated and signed the agreement with Washington are staging a soft coup against the Islamic Republic and its revolutionary ideals while the new supreme leader remains largely invisible for fear of his life " or, as some have suggested, because he is incapacitated. Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:47:36 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/293354/soft-coup-iran#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293354 discussion, 0.5 daily 293354 https://drudge.com/news/293166/fahima-mahamud-pleads-guilty-46m https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/nation-world/minnesota-daycare-fahima-mahamud/507-15de8cef-299c-4bf2-b16b-704be16050fd The first defendants since daycare fraud became a highly talked-about issue in Minnesota have pleaded guilty. That includes the woman who received more taxpayer money than any other childcare provider in 2025. Fahima Mahamud was arrested in February after she closed down her daycare and, that same day, booked a flight to London. The 50-year-old ran Future Leaders Early Learning Center since 2015. That daycare received $3.7 million in childcare assistance program money last year, more than any other daycare in the state. Mahamud pleaded guilty Thursday to $4.6 million worth of daycare fraud and Feeding Our Future meal program fraud for another $850,000. The government did not accuse her of inflating attendance numbers. Instead, she admitted that she didn't collect the required copay amounts from the families she enrolled, which presumably would be a way to ensure families stay enrolled for free daycare while she collected the taxpayer money. It's the government's position that all the taxpayer money she received from using these families, $4.6 million, must be paid back. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:33:17 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/293166/fahima-mahamud-pleads-guilty-46m#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293166 discussion, 0.5 daily 293166 https://drudge.com/news/293139/platner-ends-us-senate-campaign https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/07/08/graham-platner-ends-us-senate-campaign-maine/ Maine Democrats have until July 27 to choose a replacement candidate to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R). <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:wwiikm77cjmgpjn7i7iao43p/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqak3siz5c2t" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreid47rvoqxmjxrz6lx3koqwayjdiwtz6rn7q6eebhqwvqktf5xrvnu" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Graham Platner dropped out of Maine's Senate race. Turns out the warning signs were, in fact, warnings. slate.trib.al/fJQZzmL<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:wwiikm77cjmgpjn7i7iao43p/post/3mqak3siz5c2t?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p>" Slate (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:wwiikm77cjmgpjn7i7iao43p?ref_src=embed">@slate.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:wwiikm77cjmgpjn7i7iao43p/post/3mqak3siz5c2t?ref_src=embed">5:07 PM Jul 9, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:00:21 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/293139/platner-ends-us-senate-campaign#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293139 news, 0.5 daily 293139 https://drudge.com/news/293094/longevity-biohacker-gets-rare-autoimmune https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2026/07/06/biohacker-bryan-johnson-reveals-autoimmune-gastritis/90818745007/ Bryan Johnson, the former tech CEO who's become famous for his biohacking pursuits, says he has autoimmune gastritis. That means, he says, his stomach is "eating itself." <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:xzlvsk4ty7ecwigbjpxah6yb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq2gwaxwya2f" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiguiebaucjbrfqshelidvawwhwd2gwbh4ib3ltjif7d4tubq2eeme" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Bryan Johnson, the tech bro who is obsessed with becoming immortal, has revealed he has an incurable disease.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xzlvsk4ty7ecwigbjpxah6yb/post/3mq2gwaxwya2f?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- The Daily Beast (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xzlvsk4ty7ecwigbjpxah6yb?ref_src=embed">@thedailybeast.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xzlvsk4ty7ecwigbjpxah6yb/post/3mq2gwaxwya2f?ref_src=embed">6:54 AM &Acirc;&middot; Jul 7, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:33:03 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/293094/longevity-biohacker-gets-rare-autoimmune#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293094 news, 0.5 daily 293094 https://drudge.com/news/293020/us-life-expectancy-track-record-high https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/02/health/us-death-rate-record-low-cdc-report-longevity New mortality data from the federal government suggests that life expectancy probably hit another record high in 2025, as death rates have continued to fall since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:cvghlt3lk3pbgubsah3t4wl2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mojndtrw4k2g" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiec5tov4ajfkt6sdzbxdyxljlxqxvrqdbgghkywdxit3zkot4qh5m" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Some rare good news: "Infant mortality in the U.S. dropped to a new all-time low in 2025, according to preliminary government data."<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:cvghlt3lk3pbgubsah3t4wl2/post/3mojndtrw4k2g?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Julianne McShane (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:cvghlt3lk3pbgubsah3t4wl2?ref_src=embed">@juliannemcshane.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:cvghlt3lk3pbgubsah3t4wl2/post/3mojndtrw4k2g?ref_src=embed">9:09 PM &Acirc;&middot; Jun 17, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:33:51 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/293020/us-life-expectancy-track-record-high#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293020 news, 0.5 daily 293020 https://drudge.com/news/292997/tesla-driver-arrested-manslaughter https://abc13.com/post/tesla-driver-arrested-connection-manslaughter-crash-left-woman-dead-home-sheriff-says/19432699/ The Tesla driver who claimed his car was in self-driving mode when it crashed into a home and killed a woman has been charged with manslaughter, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp3gsbfqlt2l" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreihmhbxhv47m2ehj5oxzfixzluqjaujjlf4keaiqvvtchi2dt6db24" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Family sues Tesla for wrongful death in Autopilot crash in Texas, US https://aje.news/2t2sj1<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/post/3mp3gsbfqlt2l?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Al Jazeera English (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2?ref_src=embed">@aljazeera.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/post/3mp3gsbfqlt2l?ref_src=embed">11:00 PM &Acirc;&middot; Jun 24, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:31:50 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292997/tesla-driver-arrested-manslaughter#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292997 news, 0.5 daily 292997 https://drudge.com/news/292876/ukraine-destroys-key-rail-bridge-isolate https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-destroys-key-rail-bridge-as-fresh-attacks-aim-to-isolate-crimea-13557321 Ukraine said its forces destroyed a key railway bridge in Crimea, as it seeks to isolate the Russian-occupied peninsula. The fresh attacks come as it was reported how one of Russia's most significant oil refineries is unlikely to resume production for six months after being hit by Ukrainian drones. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:yazbevg3wkzp5llnzb44tqgh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp5zmckt7s2x" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreigdhryjsvyhif537pqfctsdccbiosijkgqaetwfnw6pnc5fap2w3i" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Chemical plant, energy infrastructure reportedly struck by Ukrainian drones in Russia&#x27;s Tula Oblast.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:yazbevg3wkzp5llnzb44tqgh/post/3mp5zmckt7s2x?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- The Kyiv Independent (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:yazbevg3wkzp5llnzb44tqgh?ref_src=embed">@kyivindependent.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:yazbevg3wkzp5llnzb44tqgh/post/3mp5zmckt7s2x?ref_src=embed">11:42 PM &Acirc;&middot; Jun 25, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Sat, 27 Jun 2026 13:33:05 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292876/ukraine-destroys-key-rail-bridge-isolate#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292876 news, 0.5 daily 292876 https://drudge.com/news/292872/ford-rehires-350-engineers-ai-falls-short https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-25/ford-has-been-rehiring-quality-inspectors-after-ai-fell-short "Artificial intelligence is a fantastic tool, but it's only as good as the information you use to train it," Charles Poon, Ford's vice president of vehicle hardware engineering, told reporters on a call Wednesday. "Over prior years, we didn't pay as much attention as we should have to the experience of our most knowledgeable engineers that have been with us through many product cycles." <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:mvzxcopxl7477vdjw6fqutgh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp53mzrqf22a" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreigq3mjwsazid2ckeefiham5e3anzbst6rotd5o2f5jul4e3zexyre" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Muahahahahah! Ford has been &quot;forced&quot; to rehire 350 veteran engineers after &quot;AI&quot; failed to provide proper quality control or train junior engineers in how to recognize quality. The human hive mind remains the best tool for creating qualities humans appreciate. www.bloomberg.com/news/article ... <br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mvzxcopxl7477vdjw6fqutgh/post/3mp53mzrqf22a?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Elf M. Sternberg (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mvzxcopxl7477vdjw6fqutgh?ref_src=embed">@elfsternberg.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mvzxcopxl7477vdjw6fqutgh/post/3mp53mzrqf22a?ref_src=embed">2:45 PM &Acirc;&middot; Jun 25, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:33:16 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292872/ford-rehires-350-engineers-ai-falls-short#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292872 news, 0.5 daily 292872 https://drudge.com/news/292863/maga-influencer-gets-banned-texas https://www.fox4news.com/news/jake-lang-banned-from-texas Far-right influencer Jake Lang is officially barred from entering the state of Texas except for mandatory court appearances ... <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:yun5yzvbtyt6oge4h35rg2jd/app.bsky.feed.post/3moouby4e2k2w" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreidlrs5dqgtzelwef6gfbgrcvseswx6eooysfy4mgnaljypz6ividi" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">J6 violent offender Edward Jacob "Jake" Lang seems to have made it a goal of his to collect criminal charges in every state, his latest 4 coming within the span of a month. Rather than provide him another platform, UR showcases just how bizarre and embarrassing the far-right provocateur really is.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:yun5yzvbtyt6oge4h35rg2jd/post/3moouby4e2k2w?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Unicorn Riot (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:yun5yzvbtyt6oge4h35rg2jd?ref_src=embed">@unicornriot.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:yun5yzvbtyt6oge4h35rg2jd/post/3moouby4e2k2w?ref_src=embed">10:56 PM &Acirc;&middot; Jun 19, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:31:54 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292863/maga-influencer-gets-banned-texas#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292863 news, 0.5 daily 292863 https://drudge.com/news/292887/iran-egypt-discover-they-playing-gay https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ckg4k0ddg5go Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei says he will not address "things that do not exist" as his team prepares to play Egypt in the Pride Match in Seattle. Local organisers have designated the game as a Pride Match because it falls on the Friday before Pride Weekend, which celebrates diversity and the LGBTQ+ community. "We are here to play football, not for other things," Ghalenoei said. "As for things that are forbidden in our religion and do not exist, we do not want to talk about them. We only talk about the match, football and the beauty of the game." Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:59:17 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292887/iran-egypt-discover-they-playing-gay#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292887 discussion, 0.5 daily 292887 https://drudge.com/news/292846/trump-gives-175-billion-loans-10 https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-reactors-energy-trump-wright-57841139aca7d2780a12256692b96fc5 The Trump administration is providing $17.5 billion to speed the development of 10 new large nuclear reactors to meet the skyrocketing power demand from massive data centers. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:uewxgchsjy4kmtu7dcxa77us/app.bsky.feed.post/3mov7cpkxqj24" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreibenubtarzzpqjplrttajszr4budge6z2a62bqpfwuzzyc257vbwq" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Global warming and extreme weather are forcing French nuclear reactors to adapt.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:uewxgchsjy4kmtu7dcxa77us/post/3mov7cpkxqj24?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Bloomberg News (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:uewxgchsjy4kmtu7dcxa77us?ref_src=embed">@bloomberg.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:uewxgchsjy4kmtu7dcxa77us/post/3mov7cpkxqj24?ref_src=embed">11:30 AM &Acirc;&middot; Jun 22, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:31:23 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292846/trump-gives-175-billion-loans-10#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292846 news, 0.5 daily 292846 https://drudge.com/news/292832/antifa-terrorists-sentenced-450-years https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/leader-antifa-cell-members-north-texas-sentenced-100-years-prison-terrorist-attack-ice The Justice Department announced that eight North Texas Antifa Cell operatives were sentenced for their roles in rioting ... <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:tabiejtbwtcxuc2vxmk63uwj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp22qwqwwc26" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiadiqfq6zeg6ktsdb2oduwxeu2sf2664hzkxji6qzrlytgj2czk44" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">among the 22 defendants are Des Revol, Champagne Song (pictured with partner Rowan Gibson, an unsentenced defendant) Autumn Hill (pictured with wife Lydia Koza), Savanna Batten, Dario Sanchez (unsentenced), the Sotos, and Meagan Morris (pictured with Hill). 8 were sentenced to a combined 450 years.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:tabiejtbwtcxuc2vxmk63uwj/post/3mp22qwqwwc26?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Lex McMenamin (they/them) (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:tabiejtbwtcxuc2vxmk63uwj?ref_src=embed">@lexmcmenamin.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:tabiejtbwtcxuc2vxmk63uwj/post/3mp22qwqwwc26?ref_src=embed">9:52 AM &Acirc;&middot; Jun 24, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:33:43 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292832/antifa-terrorists-sentenced-450-years#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292832 news, 0.5 daily 292832 https://drudge.com/news/292838/iran-war-warning-china-russia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INQHl0aWacA What did America learn from the war with Iran? In this After Action Review, we break down what went right, what went wrong, and what the United States needs to fix before the next major conflict. Operation Epic Fury showed that the U.S. can still dominate the battlefield: thousands of air missions, successful Patriot and THAAD intercepts, deep strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, effective cyber operations, combat search and rescue, and the successful use of lower-cost systems like APKWS and LUCAS drones. But the war also exposed serious problems: vulnerable bases, drone threats, limited allied support, unclear end states, the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, weak information warfare at home, and America's ongoing struggle to win the narrative after it wins the fight. This is not about cheerleading or doomposting. It is an honest AAR: what worked, what failed, and what we should do better next time. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INQHl0aWacA]] Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:42:53 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292838/iran-war-warning-china-russia#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292838 discussion, 0.5 daily 292838 https://drudge.com/news/292761/cuba-passes-sweeping-free-market-reforms https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/world/cuba-passes-sweeping-free-market-reforms-in-biggest-economic-shift-since-revolution Observers on Friday called Cuba's new free-market reforms the most sweeping economic overhaul of the island's communist economy since the Cuban revolution, as the grandson of former President Ral Castro said in an interview that Cuba must seek to move its economy forward. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:5u54z2qgkq43dh2nzwzdbbhb/app.bsky.feed.post/3monnlsd7bg2t" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreibyyohlxhbkmxmeczfvcude6oa7i3syn2strxzpjrnqsbqunx7gs4" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Cuba passes 'urgent' reforms to liberalise economy under US pressure ft.trib.al/9utYES4<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5u54z2qgkq43dh2nzwzdbbhb/post/3monnlsd7bg2t?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Financial Times (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5u54z2qgkq43dh2nzwzdbbhb?ref_src=embed">@financialtimes.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5u54z2qgkq43dh2nzwzdbbhb/post/3monnlsd7bg2t?ref_src=embed">11:24 AM &Acirc;&middot; Jun 19, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Sat, 20 Jun 2026 17:32:06 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292761/cuba-passes-sweeping-free-market-reforms#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292761 news, 0.5 daily 292761 https://drudge.com/news/292726/chinas-ev-price-war-built-cars https://www.autoblog.com/features/chinas-ev-price-war-was-built-on-cars-sold-at-a-loss For years, the Chinese auto industry has employed a hostile price war to kneecap global competitors. Armed with massive state subsidies, cheap raw materials, and an aggressive "scale-first" business model, Chinese automakers flooded the market with electric vehicles priced so low that legacy manufacturers stood no chance to compete. How did they do it? Simple, they couldn't. They did it anyway. Reports from CarNewsChina show that Chinese automakers have been selling vehicles at a loss until a recent law passed by the Chinese government banned below-cost sales of new vehicles. You might ask, "Why would an entire industry purposely lose money"? The answer is simple, the primary objective was to capture and dominate market share by starving out its competition. To achieve this, at least 16 Chinese automakers ruthlessly slashed prices on new models. Data shows over 70 percent of Chinese car sales were loss-making. This left more than half of the country's auto industry in the red. Great Wall Motor (GWM) even saw net profits drop 17 percent despite steady revenue growth. <p>This mathematically unsustainable business model has predictably hit a wall. Faced with a looming sector-wide collapse, the Chinese government enacted regulatory changes that functionally banned automakers from selling vehicles below their production costs. This decisive legal change, combined with surging raw material costs " for inputs such as lithium carbonate and other raw materials used in new EVs " has forced automakers to abruptly abandon their hostile pricing strategies, remove or reduce customer discounts, and raise vehicle prices. All while simultaneously looking outward to continue sales growth via exports. Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:41:18 -0400 sitzkrieg https://drudge.com/news/292726/chinas-ev-price-war-built-cars#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292726 discussion, 0.5 daily 292726