Aggregator

At the end of the day, the lack of consequence for winning a LIV Golf event was the downfall of the entire concept.

A former reality-TV star for LA mayor? That prospect is now looking plausible.

The New York Knicks are one win away from advancing but closing out a playoff series is never easy. On this LIVE episode of NY Got Game, Dexter Henry is joined by Jonathan Macri of Knicks Film School to break down Game 6 vs the Atlanta Hawks and what it will take for the Knicks...

Iran War Cost $25 Billion in First 2 Months, Pentagon Says

Authored by Ryan Morgan via The Epoch Times,

Combat operations against Iran have cost the U.S. military about $25 billion in two months, a top Pentagon accounting official told House Armed Services Committee members on April 29.

The Wednesday hearing marked the first time Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine have testified publicly to Congress since U.S. and Israeli forces commenced attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fire for about five and a half weeks before the parties entered into a ceasefire agreement on April 8.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member on the committee, asked the Pentagon to account for the costs of U.S. munitions expended as well as for equipment destroyed in the course of the fighting.

Jules Hurst, the acting War Department comptroller, estimated those costs at about $25 billion.

Hurst said munitions accounted for most of it, but said he also factored in operations and maintenance and equipment replacement costs. Hurst joined Hegseth and Caine at the hearing, as Congress weighs military funding requests for fiscal year 2027.

The Trump administration has been working on submitting a supplemental funding request to Congress to cover the war’s costs, but has yet to finalize it or settle on an exact figure.

“We will formulate a supplemental through the White House that will come to Congress once we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict,” Hurst said.

The Pentagon is already seeking a $1.5 trillion military and defense spending budget for fiscal year 2027. The request amounts to a 42 percent increase over fiscal year 2026 military spending, which totaled approximately $1.03 trillion.

Among other items, the Trump administration’s 2027 military budget request seeks $52.9 billion to boost procurement for 12 weapons systems that the Pentagon has classified as critical munitions.

In March, President Donald Trump announced he had met with the CEOs of BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon parent RTX Corp., Boeing, Honeywell, and L3Harris Technologies to discuss boosting their munitions production levels. Weapons produced by the companies—including the Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense systems and offensive weapons like the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile—have featured heavily in the Iran war.

Beyond the immediate material costs to replace weapons and equipment, the Iran war has also disrupted global oil and gas flows out of the Middle East, leading to rising prices for consumers.

Tyler Durden Wed, 04/29/2026 - 20:55

Iran Announces Fuel Rationing As Brent Sets New War Highs, After Trump Rejects Tehran's Latest Offer Summary

• Brent crude reaches $120/barrel - new Iran war high, and highest since June 2022. Simultanously, Iran's currency has collapsed to a record low, plunging to 1.8 million rial per dollar - also amid mass layoffs in various Iranian sectors.

• CENTCOM reportedly preparing for "short wave of strikes" on Iran in order to potentially break the Hormuz impasse & force Tehran back to the negotiating table. Trump rejects Iran proposal as it won't give up nuclear program.

• Trump recently met this week with oil and gas executives at the White House to address energy fallout, and as oil pushes higher: Axios.

• Trump warns Iran to "get their act together" and to "get smart" - and for the second time writes "no more Mr. Nice Guy".

• Fresh White House statement indicates communication still open with Tehran, but still says "Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon."

//--> //--> Will the U.S. invade Iran before 2027?
Yes 34% · No 67%
View full market & trade on Polymarket

*  *  *

Iran Currency Plunges To Record Low

Iran's currency has collapsed to a record low, plunging to 1.8 million rial per dollar amid the prolonged US-Israel war and uneasy ceasefire, also as surging global energy prices hit the economy.

The rial began sliding sharply two days ago after weeks of artificial stability. In the early phase of the war that kicked off on February 28, the currency held steady due to a near-total halt in imports and limited market activity.

The renewed freefall reflects runaway inflation driven by sanctions but also economic mismanagement, intensifying pressure on households also amid mass layoffs especially in Iranian industries like textiles. In some cases whole major steel factories have been obliterated, for example. Currently, the US is maintaining three aircraft carriers in the region and is sending additional troops and equipment, while Israel signals readiness to resume fighting. The Israelis have a stated goal of government overthrow or else total societal collapse. WSJ meanwhile writes:

To contain the economic fallout, the Iranian government has raised wages, subsidized basic goods and handed out cash to the poor. But authorities are confronting a level of hardship not seen in decades, according to residents.

“It is an authoritarian regime, and it can claim that resisting economic pressure is a question of national pride,” said Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow and Iran expert at the Middle East Institute. At the same time, “as the money dries up because of the blockade, we may find that more and more folks have no choice but to mobilize politically,” he said.

Such suffering is being intentionally engineered by Washington, as Bessent and others have previously boasted.

Brent War Highs, Iran Announces Fuel Rationing

Brent crude oil prices have briefly reached their highest level of the Iran War, at $119.50/barrel $120, which is also the highest since 2022. Iran is meanwhile starting to ration fuel, according to state sources, with the country's oil minister newly announcing the following:

IRAN OIL MINISTER: JUSTIFIES RATIONING FUEL CONSUMPTION BY "WAR CONDITIONS"

IRAN OIL MINISTER: NO INTERNAL CONCERNS REGARDING THE SECURING AND DISTRIBUTION OF FUEL

Brent crude oil futures rose above $110 soon after Trump's earlier morning threat and warning to Iran.

West Texas Intermediate futures also trading well above $100 a barrel.

Trump Rejects Iran Offer, Prepares 'Short Wave' Strikes

When in doubt, escalate higher? US Central Command is reportedly preparing for a "short wave of strikes" on Iran in order to potentially break the Hormuz impasse and force Tehran back to the negotiating table, where the US wants it to hand over its enriched uranium and finally abandon its nuclear program. We're in the "just one more thing will do it" in the escalation ladder, which was all easily predictable.

"Trump told Axios the U.S. will maintain a naval blockade on Iran until a nuclear deal is reached, rejecting Tehran’s plan to ease restrictions before talks," per Barak Ravid. "He said the blockade is more effective than bombing and will continue as key leverage, insisting Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon."

So there are more plans at least 'on the table' for possible 'limited strikes' as diplomacy has clearly been faltering; however, Iran is saying it is prepared to fight back hard in the scenario that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports continues. Meanwhile this is doing nothing to help soaring oil prices, and prices at the pump for Americans and people globally. Congress is getting nervous, and they should be after rejecting several War Powers initiatives. Brent inches toward hitting Iran war highs:

And more: Trump told Axios he saw the blockade as "somewhat more effective than the bombing," and the sources said he had yet to order any kinetic action as of Tuesday night.

Unnamed GOP Senator tells Semafor as Iran War set to hit 60-days on Friday: "People cross some sort of threshold and start to be very uncomfortable with it. I am sensing restlessness among many of my colleagues."

Trump Huddles with Oil Execs: Axios

President Trump recently met this week with oil and gas executives at the White House to address the energy fallout from the Iran war, per fresh Axios reporting, as supply disruptions push prices higher and create both opportunity and risk for the industry. Among those attending were Mike Wirth of Chevron, along with senior officials including Susie Wiles, Scott Bessent, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.

A White House official said, "The president meets with energy executives frequently to get their feedback on domestic and international energy markets," with discussions covering domestic production, Venezuela, oil futures, natural gas, and shipping. It should be noted that while Trump "huddles" with oil CEOs, Republicans in Congress are still too scared to so much as pass a simple War Powers Resolution, or to have real robust debate over the merits of the Iran War.

The Middle East supply shock is obviously driving up global crude and US gasoline prices, which sets up for huge implications for Republicans come next fall's midterms. Oil prices have extended their multi-day rally, surpassing $116 a barrel:

Brent crude futures for June rose $4.24, or 3.81%, to $115.50 a barrel by 1255 GMT, climbing for an eighth day to the highest level since March 31. The June contract expires on Thursday and the more active July contract was up 3.86% at $108.43.

Oil Pushing Toward Iran War Highs

Earlier in the morning, Brent crude oil has neared $115 per barrel, driven by the ongoing Hormuz Strait blockade and standoff, and war fears - in a seventh straight session of gains.

This latest move higher follows Tuesday night's WSJ report that the US plans to extend its blockade of Iranian ports, intensifying fears of prolonged disruption through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. 

As a reminder, the president has told aides and his staff that he's prepared to implement an extended blockade:

President Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, U.S. officials said, targeting the regime’s coffers in a high-risk bid to compel a nuclear capitulation Tehran has long refused.

In recent meetings, including a Monday discussion in the Situation Room, Trump opted to continue squeezing Iran’s economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports. He assessed that his other options—resume bombing or walk away from the conflict—carried more risk than maintaining the blockade, officials said.

4am Truth Social

This isn't exactly a 'new' threat, as it's something he said on April 19 as well, but President Trump in a 4am Truth Social post warned Iran to "get smart soon" as the White House reviews military options for the Strait of Hormuz.

"Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!" Trump wrote early Wednesday, alongside an image showing him with a weapon and the message "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!"

Members of Trump's national security team presented multiple options during a Situation Room meeting this week, including whether to increase or reduce the US military presence in the strait and whether to adopt a more aggressive operational posture, NBC News reported, citing an unnamed US official and a person familiar with the discussions. According to the WSJ Tuesday evening, the president has told aides and his staff that he's prepared to implement an extended blockade.

WH still Communicating With Tehran

And yet, the White House says negotiators are still in communication with the Iranians, who are "struggling to sort out their leadership situation" amid the war. Trump on Tuesday claimed Tehran officials told him the country is in a "State of Collapse" - though obviously it's highly dubious they would communicate that to him.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told media that Trump would only enter into an agreement with Iran that "puts US national security first" and that "He has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon." However, the Iranians themselves have made it clear they would never just transfer their enriched uranium out of the country. Their latest proposal has centered on lifting the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz first, and then leaving the nuclear issues for future negotiation after the war is resolved.

More Latest Developments

via Newsquawk

• Donald Trump told officials to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported citing sources; Trump has opted to keep squeezing Iran’s economy, judging other options as higher risk than maintaining the blockade.
• Trump posted, “Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon! President DJT,” alongside an image of himself holding a rifle with explosions behind him and the caption “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”.
• Trump said the US is “doing very well in the Middle East,” adding that King Charles III agrees Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb.
• Iran’s Vice Chairman of the National Security Council Alaeddin Boroujerdi said negotiations are being handled directly by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who “personally manages” them.
• Iran pushed back on US claims regarding pipeline explosions, Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
• A senior Pakistani official said mediation efforts continue, working to narrow the gap between the US and Iran.
• Scott Bessent said the Treasury has targeted Iran’s financial infrastructure, disrupting tens of billions in revenue; Kharg Island is nearing maximum storage capacity, forcing Iran to cut oil production.
• The Israeli army carried out a large-scale bombing operation east of Gaza City.
• The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said new capabilities are ready to counter any new US attack, Press TV reported.
• Israel Hayom reported that Israel may accept a limited ceasefire with Lebanon contingent on Hezbollah’s disbandment, according to Al Hadath.
• An Israeli army commander said, “we are not talking about destroying terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon, but rather destroying everything,” according to Haaretz.
• A political aide to the IRGC said, “we will respond to any new aggression with surprises and new capabilities, will burn America's giant ships at sea if they miscalculate again,” Al Jazeera Mubasher reported.
• Sanae Takaichi said Japan will engage with Iran to ensure safe passage of ships.
• The US Treasury has frozen $344 million in crypto linked to Iran, Fox Business reported citing officials.

Tyler Durden Wed, 04/29/2026 - 20:55

Democrats running for governor in California have said in recent debates that Gavin Newsom deserves high grades for his performance –– mostly B's, and even A's.

Cue the Shania Twain because Ben Ben Roethlisberger was not impressed much by his old team's quarterback choice in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The man accused of murdering a prominent California Institute of Technology astrophysicist smirked during his brief court appearance on Wednesday.

Josh Hart’s availability hangs in the balance for a pivotal Game 6.

"We Can't Move Forward": Brookfield-Backed Compass Abandons Virginia Data Center Project

Compass Datacenters is abandoning a massive data center project in Northern Virginia after what Bloomberg described as "intense pushback from local residents."

The retreat comes as local opposition to data center buildouts accelerates nationwide, with residents increasingly furious over surging power demand, soaring electricity bills, land-use battles, and transmission lines cutting through neighborhoods and farmland.

We were the first to describe the epicenter of the data center buildout revolt in the Mid-Atlantic area, all the way back in the summer of 2024. This is happening as the AI infrastructure boom collides with local resistance.

Many Marylanders were upset about transmission lines and rising power bills, some of which were not necessarily due to data centers, but rather failed "green" policies by the far-left regime in Annapolis.

The Brookfield-backed data center company told Bloomberg, "Compass has reached the unfortunate conclusion that we cannot move forward. While we still believe this project offered significant benefits for the region and our neighbors, recent legal actions and compounding regulatory hurdles have effectively closed a viable path forward."

Compass Datacenters was planning to develop more than 800 acres in Prince William County as part of the proposed 2,100-acre Digital Gateway corridor.

The project, along with a neighboring QTS development backed by Blackstone, would have created one of the world’s largest data center hubs to expand Northern Virginia’s global data dominance.

Earlier this month, Chamath Palihapitiya, founder of Social Capital and co-host of the All-In Podcast, warned on X that polling data shows data centers are more disliked than ICE by the American people.

Palihapitiya posted the polling data:

He warned that local opposition is growing against data centers:

Meanwhile, our most recent report shows that nearly half of U.S. data centers scheduled to break ground this year are at risk of being canceled or delayed.

The great data center land rush is no longer a story about chip stacks and power. It is becoming a localized fight over power bills against tech bros.

Tyler Durden Wed, 04/29/2026 - 20:30

ARLINGTON, Texas — The decision to designate veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk for assignment Wednesday came just as the 34-year-old was starting to heat up, batting 6-for-16 after starting the year 0-for-15. The Yankees had signed the right-handed hitter to a minor league deal in camp before he made the team to help them against lefties....

He was the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee for three straight seasons and was the winner of the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award three times. 

A grand jury on Wednesday indicted a Louisiana sheriff whose office came under investigation after 10 inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail in an audacious escape that happened on her watch.

Just south of California, a wave of cheap, high-tech Chinese cars is inching toward the US, and a legal loophole is already letting some through.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt's "genius" campaign ad calling out rivals' mansions has gone viral.

The DEA struck at least four spots across the OC in an ongoing investigation into illegal narcotics.

For the final 39 games, the Knicks were the best defensive team in the East. Only the Thunder ranked higher in the other conference.

Fernando Mendoza can wear No. 15 in Las Vegas with a clear conscience.

In New York, a life sentence doesn’t mean life — and if our legislators have their way, the 115 years given to Det. Diller's killer won’t mean 115 years.

San Francisco Police are warning senior citizens in the Bay Area of jewelry robbery schemes after an elderly woman was viciously attacked and robbed in broad daylight of her necklace following the arrest of two suspects.