WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following news: * * * 'Project Freedom' Aims to Get Thousands of Commercial Ships Safely Through Strait of Hormuz * Iran has blocked safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf for commercial cargo and tanker vessels, trapping thousands inside the gulf and halting the free flow of commerce in the region. Project Freedom is meant to reopen the strait to commercial vessels, said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during   more

WASHINGTON, May 4 (Sen.) -- Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * AS GAS PRICES SURGE IN ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES, SCHUMER DEMANDS AN END TO TRUMP'S RECKLESS IRAN WAR, ANNOUNCES HE WILL FORCE WEEKLY VOTES TO END WAR, AND CALLS ON NY HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO STAND UP FOR... * As Gas Skyrockets Over $4, And American Troops Remain In Harm's Way, NY House Republicans Refuse To Check Trump's Reckless War of Choice - Schumer, Standing With Local   more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: * * * Bennet Leads 13 Colleagues to Demand Trump Administration Resume Russian Oil Sanctions * Denver -Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and 13 Senate colleagues urged Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to fully resume sanctions on Russian oil and use every available tool to cut into Russia's war windfall profits. In their letter, the  more

SURREY, England, May 6 -- Air Cargo News issued the following news: * * * China's e-commerce air exports declined in March By Damian Brett E-commerce air trade volumes out of China, which have turbocharged air cargo demand in recent years, declined in March for the first time in a number of years. Analysis carried out by consultant and data provider Aevean shows that in March, e-commerce volumes from China declined by 6% year on year. Aevean managing director Marco Bloemen pointed out that  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Castro Leads Group of 30 Lawmakers in Demanding End to Ambiguity in Israel's Nuclear Capabilities * Congressman Joaquin Castro, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, led a group of 30 House Democrats in demanding the U.S. Department of State hold Israel to the same standard as other countries and provide transparency on Israels' nuclear ca  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following commentary on May 5, 2026, by Director Benjamin Jensen, associate fellow Jose M. Macias, and intern Nico Vacca, all of the Futures Lab: * * * How to Lose an Information War in 10 Days We live in a surreal world in which battlefield success does not necessarily translate into an information advantage. Belief is suspended from reality largely because most of us spend hours of our waking lives bombarded   more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following commentary on May 5, 2026, by Oge Onubogu, director and senior fellow of the Africa Program: * * * Lessons for the United States in the Militant Attacks that Killed Mali's Defense Minister The security crisis in Africa's western Sahel region has entered a dangerous new phase with the recent unprecedented and coordinated attacks in military-controlled areas and urban centers of Mali by al Qaeda-linked   more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on May 5, 2026: * * * In Iowa, Vance Fails to Sell the Trump-Vance Agenda That's Driving Up Costs and Hurting Families and Farmers Even higher prices and cuts to healthcare are hurting Iowa families and farmers * Today, JD Vance traveled to Iowa's 3rd Congressional District to peddle more of the same broken promises that he and Donald Trump have been making for more than a year, but Iowans aren't buying  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on May 5, 2026: * * * Republicans Want Taxpayers to Pay $1 Billion for Trump's White House Ballroom Project After months of Donald Trump vowing that his White House ballroom renovations would be "taxpayer-free," Republican Senator Chuck Grassley released the Judiciary Committee's funding request yesterday, revealing that Republicans are planning to force Americans to pay $1 BILLION for Trump's East Wing r  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Massachusetts, ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, issued the following statement on May 4, 2026: * * * During National Small Business Week, Ranking Member Markey Celebrates America's Main Streets, Condemns Trump's Anti-American Small Business Agenda Trump continues to turn Main Street into Pain Street with cruel cuts, terrible tariff taxes, and catastrophic cost increases * Ranking Member Edward J. Markey  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 5 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release: * * * End the Iran Conflict and Refocus on What Matters Most to Americans: Driving Down Costs * In response to reports of escalation by Iran and continued exchanges of fire in the Strait of Hormuz, AFP Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner issued the following statement:  "Our armed forces have achieved significant military successes throughout this campaign. The soon  more

BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 6 -- The European Policy Centre issued the following excertps of a commentary on May 5, 2026, by senior visiting fellow Chris Kremidas-Courtney to Euractiv: * * * Free passage is fading: Europe needs a navy The sea lanes Europe took for granted are gone. How will it respond? * Since January 2025 it was clear that US disengagement could eventually leave Europe's vital sea lanes less safe. Iran has transformed the Strait of Hormuz into a wartime toll road, charging ves  more

BRONX, New York, May 6 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary on May 4, 2026, by Nathan Wellman: * * * Acceleration Without Guardrails "In mid-2030, the AI releases a dozen quiet-spreading biological weapons in major cities, lets them silently infect almost everyone, then triggers them with a chemical spray. Most are dead within hours; the few survivors (e.g. preppers in bunkers, sailors on submarines) are mopped up by drones... Earth-born civilization has a glorious   more

BRONX, New York, May 6 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary on May 4, 2026, by Amelia Felice: * * * Hosting the World Cup in a Fractured America With official gameplay starting on June 11, the United States State Department expects a possible upward of 10 million visitors to the United States this summer. But will some fans hesitate? With a nation almost known for its gun violence, along with recent immigration crackdown and political hostility. The question is no l  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Hudson Institute, a research organization that says it promotes leadership for a secure, free and prosperous future, issued the following commentary on May 5, 2026, by senior fellow Aparna Pande to GIS Reports: * * * India's West Asian Dilemma The Iran conflict is disrupting India's energy supplies and remittances, forcing New Delhi to balance ties with Iran, the US, Israel, and Gulf states. * In a nutshell * The Middle East conflict is shrinking New Delhi's room for m  more

MUNICH, Germany, May 6 -- ifo Institute issued the following news release: * * * Business Climate in Germany's Chemical Industry Hits Three-Year Low The business climate in Germany's chemical industry clouded over in April. The Business Climate Index fell to -29.0 points, down from -25.1* points in March, the lowest level in almost three years. Companies assessed their current business situation at -27.1 points as somewhat better than in March, when it stood at -31.2* points. By contrast, pri  more

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee, May 5 -- Middle Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * In the news: MTSU faculty, staff talk censorship, AI, unemployment, Pirates, more * MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -Middle Tennessee State University faculty and staff recently shared their perspectives with media on various issues, including employment rates, artificial intelligence, censorship and finances. * Allie Sultan, media arts professor, talked with Axios Nashville on April 9 about the launch  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 [Category: Energy] -- The Institute for Energy Research posted the following commentary: * * * Iran Strikes the United Arab Emirates Key Takeaways 1 Iran's response to President Trump's "Project Freedom" was an attack on the UAE's alternative to maritime traffic in the strait -the Fujairah Oil facility -and drone strikes targeting shipping. 2 Trump initiated the humanitarian effort to ease shipping constraints in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend in response to pleas f  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Jamestown Foundation issued the following commentary on May 5, 2026, by John C.K. Daly, Eurasian foreign affairs and defense policy expert and non-resident fellow at the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, in its Eurasia Daily Monitor: * * * Iran Conflict Could Help Revive Moribund Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline Executive Summary: * The Iran conflict has made completing the moribund Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline (TCP) increasingly attractive. Central Asia is looking to export  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Jamestown Foundation posted the following commentary on May 5, 2026, by Paul Goble, specialist on ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia, in the foundation's Eurasia Daily Monitor: * * * Moscow's Replacement of Dagestan Leadership Likely Making Bad Situation Worse Executive Summary: * Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced Dagestan Governor Sergey Melikov and his team with Fyodor Shchukin, head of Dagestan's Supreme Court, after long being unhappy with the   more

HAMILTON, New York, May 5 -- Colgate University posted the following news: * * * Kraynak Institute Hosts Masih Alinejad, Iranian-American Journalist and Activist * On April 23, 2026, the Kraynak Institute for the Study of Freedom and Western Traditions, an on-campus forum dedicated to free speech and constitutional democracy, hosted Iranian-American journalist and women's rights activist Masih Alinejad to speak to Colgate students in a lecture and private conversation. During the lecture, Al  more

SURREY, England, May 6 -- Air Cargo News issued the following news: * * * Latest Middle East escalation "reverses recovery" of air cargo By Rebecca Jeffrey SEKO Logistics has reported that Iranian missile and drone attacks on the UAE on 4 May have restricted airspace again and there is a global air cargo capacity shortfall of up to 16%. The logistics company said that the latest developments in the ongoing Middle East conflict have resulted in a reversal of recovery momentum following the   more

WASHINGTON, May 4 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley Statement on Republicans' Bill Gifting ICE, Border Patrol Billions While Ignoring Middle Class Families * Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans released bill text that will gift the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Custom  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement on May 4, 2026: * * * Merkley Statement on Republicans' Bill Gifting ICE, Border Patrol Billions While Ignoring Middle Class Families Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans released bill text that will gift the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and   more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 5 (TNSrpt) -- Gov. Maura Healey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * New Report Shows Massachusetts as Global Leader in Climatetech With 16 of Top 20 Energy Companies Governor Maura Healey today highlighted Massachusetts' continued leadership in the global climatetech economy following the release of a new report identifying the top 20 global companies leading the energy transition worldwide. The report finds that 16 of those 20 companies have   more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Pat Ryan, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * NO FUNDS FOR IRAN WAR: CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN LEADS DEMOCRATIC VETERANS, HOUSE COLLEAGUES IN INTRODUCTION OF IRAN WAR FUNDING PROHIBITION * NO FUNDS FOR IRAN WAR: Congressman Pat Ryan Leads Democratic Veterans, House Colleagues in Introduction of Iran War Funding Prohibition Congressman Ryan's bill prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars for military action against Iran in the absence of an AUMF or officia  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The No WAR Act, originally introduced by Rep. Val T. Hoyle, D-OR, on April 30, 2026, has been analyzed by the Congressional Research Service. This legislation aims to amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to establish a point of order against any reconciliation measures that allocate budget authority for unauthorized military operations against Iran. The No WAR Act seeks to ensure that any military action against Iran is explicitly authorized by  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * NRCC's Midterm Message: Ignore Everything We've Done * The NRCC is begging voters to forget about the pain they have inflicted The geniuses at the NRCC are begging voters to forget and ignore all of the pain they have inflicted on the American people in a new memo first reported by Punchbowl News. They brag about a 'friendly' political environment, the resources of their 'strong  more

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, May 5 -- The Nevada Democratic Party posted the following news release: * * * On National Tourism Week, Lombardo-Trump Agenda Turns Visitors Away and Jacks Up Costs * It's National Tourism Week and under Joe Lombardo and Donald Trump's reckless leadership, Las Vegas tourism is plummeting, gas and flight costs are skyrocketing, and economists warn that a recession could be coming. Yet, Lombardo thinks Nevadans should "feel a little pain " from Trump's tariffs. And this "p  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Padilla, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Oil Market Manipulation and Protect Consumers As Gas Prices Climb * California gas prices are up more than $1.50 per gallon since the start of Trump's war with Iran WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Californians face rising gas prices driven by the Trump Administration's ongoing war in Iran, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Senators Maria Cantwel  more

CALGARY, Alberta, May 6 -- Pembina Institute issued the following news release: * * * Leading clean energy experts warn Carney can't "build Canada strong" without robust Alberta MOU outcomes Canada stuck in "unhelpful feedback loop" of oil and gas expansion as global energy transition accelerates * Prominent climate and clean energy experts across Canada are today urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to reach a final agreement on crucial aspects of the Alberta-Ottawa memorandum of understandin  more

LONDON, England, May 5 -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued the following news release: * * * PM statement on strikes targeting UAE: 4 May 2026 * The UK condemns the drone and missile strikes targeting the United Arab Emirates. As I set out during my visit to the region last month, stability in the Gulf directly affects the UK. We stand in solidarity with the UAE and will continue to support the defence of our partners in the Gulf. This escalation must cease. Iran needs to eng  more

LONDON, England, May 5 -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued the following news release: * * * Prime Minister's remarks at No10 Tackling Antisemitism Forum: 5 May 2026 * Thank you all for being here. We have a lot of work to do so it's very important we gather here to do that work. Thank you Louis. That was incredibly powerful, and honest, and courageous. I think it's really important we heard you speak, in your words, saying how you feel, and what it feels like to be Jewish in Bri  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Panetta, Democratic Veterans Introduce War Powers Resolution to End War With Iran * Monterey, CA - U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Representatives Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jason Crow (CO-06), and several Democratic Veterans to introduce a War Powers Resolution designed to end the President's unauthorized, prolonged war in Iran and ensure the Administration remains answerable to   more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Gabriel Vasquez, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Vasquez Keeps up Bipartisan Push to Regulate Prediction Markets and Crack Down on Corruption and Insider Trading * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) is renewing his push to close regulatory loopholes for prediction markets and ensure people are not using the platforms to profit off events that go against the public interest or take advantage of non-public informati  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Scalise Touts GOP Wins for Small Businesses, Farmers, and Working Families * NEW ORLEANS, La. -Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) appeared on Fox Business Network's Mornings with Maria to discuss Republicans' aggressive legislative push last week, including House passage of the Farm Bill for the first time since 2018 and advancing DHS funding, while highlighting President Trump's ef  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following statement on May 5, 2026, by Secretary Marco Rubio regarding a proposed United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at countering Iranian aggression and securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz: * * * The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to hold the world's economy hostage with its efforts to close the Strait of Hormuz, threats to attack ships in the Strait, laying of sea mines that pose a danger to shippi  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a major U.S. military initiative, dubbed "Project Freedom," during a May 5, 2026, news briefing, revealing that President Trump has ordered the military to escort thousands of stranded civilian sailors to safety through the Iranian-blockaded Strait of Hormuz. -- Marlyn T. Vitin, Targeted News Service * * * Here is the transcript of the news briefing: SECRETARY RUBIO: Hello. Thank you, guys, for having me today. I'll be filling in   more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following transcript: * * * Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing * SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: Well, as you know, President Trump has directed U.S. Central Command to restart the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz under the umbrella of Project Freedom. To be clear, this operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury. Project Freedo  more

LONDON, England, May 5 [Category: Transportation] -- The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders issued the following news: * * * Two millionth electric car registered as market rebounds strongly from tax changes * New car market rises 24.0% in April as market recovers from last year's negative tax change impact. * Two millionth electric car registered, with robust 26.2% market share during low-volume month. * 2026 outlook upgraded to 2.093m registrations overall, but ZEV share revised  more

NEW YORK, May 6 -- United Against Nuclear Iran posted the following news release on May 4, 2026: * * * UANI Applauds President Trump's Launching of Project Freedom The Safe Passage Through an Internationalized Strait of Hormuz is Long Overdue * Today United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Chairman Governor Jeb Bush and CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace released the following statement on President Trump's launch of Project Freedom: "UANI applauds President Trump for launching Project Freedom to e  more