News from the Note…
A round up of the day’s news that might be of interest to you.
This is an OPEN THREAD, folks. Chat about any of the stories listed, share links to stories that caught your eye today, and generally have a good time discussing whatever you want.
BREAKING: Trump says he's pausing plan to attack Iran
— Axios (@axios.com) May 18, 2026 at 3:29 PM
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The Trump administration is working with Congress to suspend federal excise taxes on gasoline and diesel as the war in Iran drives up oil and fuel costs.
— Bloomberg News (@bloomberg.com) May 19, 2026 at 1:30 PM
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Wholesale motor oil prices are rising rapidly, and some industry executives are warning of imminent shortages caused by the war with Iran. https://cnn.it/4tNOZD1
— CNN (@cnn.com) May 19, 2026 at 12:01 PM
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Israeli far-right minister Smotrich says ICC prosecutor seeks his arrest reut.rs/43gSfvw
— Reuters (@reuters.com) May 19, 2026 at 10:10 AM
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Israeli forces intercepted one of the remaining boats in a flotilla carrying activists seeking to challenge the blockade of Gaza. The vessel was stopped about 82 nautical miles (95 miles) from Gaza, according to the flotilla’s website tracker.
— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) May 19, 2026 at 7:50 AM
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Ukraine’s increasingly effective drone arsenal is taking a mounting toll on Russia, damaging oil installations and arms factories and both killing and wounding Russian troops at an unprecedented rate.
— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) May 19, 2026 at 12:20 PM
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BREAKING: The U.S. government agrees to drop tax claims against President Trump in a broadening of his IRS lawsuit settlement.
— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) May 19, 2026 at 3:15 PM
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The Treasury Department’s chief legal officer resigned following the DOJ’s launch of a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” that could provide payouts for rioters convicted in connection to Jan. 6, 2021, and others who claim they were wrongfully targeted under the Biden administration.
— The Hill (@thehill.com) May 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM
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Sen. Chris Coons asks acting Attorney General Todd Blanche whether he would commit that none of the money from the "anti-weaponization" fund would go toward President Trump's campaign donors or people who assaulted police officers.
— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) May 19, 2026 at 12:40 PM
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Todd Blanche says he won’t recommend pardoning Maxwell
— Politico (@politico.com) May 19, 2026 at 11:43 AM
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The Defense Department’s internal watchdog has said it is evaluating US Southern Command’s operations that have included strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. https://cnn.it/4dOCguR
— CNN (@cnn.com) May 19, 2026 at 1:59 PM
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San Diego police said that the mother of one of the suspected gunmen in a deadly mosque shooting had warned authorities hours earlier that her son was suicidal, armed and missing along with several weapons and a vehicle.
— Reuters (@reuters.com) May 19, 2026 at 12:34 AM
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NEW: Trump endorses Ken Paxton in the GOP Senate primary in Texas, a blow to Sen. John Cornyn a week before the runoff.
— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) May 19, 2026 at 12:43 PM
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