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The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Murphy: Trump administration knew Gabbard ‘wasn't going to toe the line' at Iran briefing
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday suggested Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was disinvited from a Capitol Hill briefing on the U.S. strikes in Iran because she has not been in lock step with President Trump's assessment of Iran's nuclear capabilities. 'I've never, ever been part of a major cabinet level classified briefing where the Director of National Intelligence was banned from the room,' Murphy said in an appearance on CNN's 'The Source.' 'I think it stands to reason that they knew that she was not going to toe the line, that she was likely going to refuse to say what the administration wants, which is that the program was obliterated,' the Connecticut Democrat told host Kaitlan Collins. Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was referring to the classified briefing senators received from CIA Director Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the strikes. Trump notably broke with Gabbard at the onset of the conflict between Israel and Iran, after the national intelligence chief testified in March that the Iranian regime did not appear to be building a nuclear weapon. Asked about that testimony, Trump shot back: 'I don't care what she said. I think they were very close to having one.' Since launching strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran last Saturday, competing reports have emerged on how significant the damage is. The president and Israeli officials have contended the attacks 'obliterated' the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan enrichment sites and its nuclear program will likely face years of setback. CNN and The New York Times, however, reported that an early U.S. intelligence assessment shows the damage only delaying Tehran's nuclear efforts by a few months. The administration has pushed back strenuously on the reporting, including Hegseth during Thursday's early Pentagon press briefing. The FBI and White House are investigating what they've called a 'leak' of information — and have moved to pair back sharing of classified intelligence, even with members of Congress. A personal lawyer for Trump has also threatened to sue the Times and CNN for their reporting about the preliminary intelligence report. Gabbard has since leaned into Trump's analysis of the damage in recent days, agreeing that the sites had been 'destroyed.' On CNN, Murphy warned that the U.S. strikes was likely counterintuitive to the administration's mission of ending Iran's nuclear program. 'It's true that Israel has targeted a lot of the scientists, but Iran still has the know-how to put back together a nuclear program,' he said, referring to the initial attack on Tehran by the Israeli military on June 13, which killed several of Iran's top leaders and led to over a week of counterstrikes. 'And the strikes potentially could have the impact of convincing this regime in Tehran or the next regime that they now have no choice but to rush to a nuclear weapon,' the senator added.
Daily Maverick
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Sound sculptor BJ Engelbrecht on making art that is perceived by all senses
BJ Engelbrecht talks about the childhood influences that led to his mode of being, and the arts community in which he thrives. The InArt interviews explore culture by asking creatives about their life in the arts, and which artists in other media stimulate them. We spoke to Johannesburg-based researcher and sound sculptor BJ Engelbrecht. When did you first identify as a creative artist? I don't recall a sudden moment of realisation, rather it was a gradual process of discovery. That being said, I was always drawn to the arts. I have vivid memories from childhood of constantly drawing and am fortunate to have grown up in a home surrounded by a wide variety of music. There are two formative influences from my youth that I think had a major influence on me and my artistic life. The first, being a teenager in the 1990s, was hip-hop, specifically graffiti and deejaying. Everything from tearing out the back pages from The Source magazine, to second- and third-generation tape copies, from that memorable bench in what was then Van der Bijl Square, to late-night trains and the colours black and chrome. I can still smell the Black Label and beedis. The hip-hop community of the Nineties had a major impression on my worldview. The second major influence was being a black portfolio art kid in school. Of course, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the Michaelis Art Library and the Johannesburg Biennale were invaluable to me, but I was also extremely lucky to have had accomplished mentors and goal-directed friends. Which branch of art most stimulates you? I don't find much in the art world stimulating. If you've been at it for as long as I have, at some point you'll discover that it is simply work. Yes, part of the work necessitates frequent moments of discovery, which are satisfying, and I have the opportunity to be part of a community that consists of some of the most talented, intelligent and interesting people in the country, and that's rewarding, but I don't necessarily feel like this is unusually stimulating. Which artists have inspired you, and why? Again, it's not about inspiration. It's about a mode of being in the world and attending to it in a way that is critical of one's experience. Some of these experiences might include the artwork of others, and it's vital to have a strong understanding and vast knowledge of the work of others, but I think that you'd be somewhat failing if this is where you primarily seek inspiration. What to you is art's most important function? There is a plurality of purposes, one of which is not to have a purpose at all. What is most necessary, given our context, is to be politically engaged. Local creatives who excite you? I'm not excited by a particular artist, but rather the youngsters in general – explorative, technologically-inclined and likely tuned into states of affairs in the world in ways that I will never be. Which artistic work do you return to again and again, and why? GZA's Liquid Swords. It was the first album I bought. It captures something sonically that speaks to my experience of the city, but also it's the genius. What do you think of the AI revolution? I don't think it's a revolution but more of an evolution. It's certainly receiving a lot of attention, partially because of its now unprecedented ubiquity and sometimes undeserved controversy. Although I am not an expert by any means, in the arts it's a tool among many. There are artists for whom AI is a medium and they specifically build models as a form of art, some of which are critical of the means of their creation. These artists often get criticised for being in support of the technocracy when they are, in fact, aimed at calling the complex array of serious issues surrounding AI to light. So there is this oscillation between AI being a force for enslavement or liberation. It is also a question of creativity and what makes up consciousness. I feel like the consensus is that not enough is yet known about human thinking and feeling, or perhaps our approach to understanding consciousness needs to be approached differently. Debates aside, in my practice I still prefer brushstrokes over keystrokes. Any project you're unveiling or wrapping up? I'm wrapping up my postdoctoral fellowship at Wits University and continuing to work with Jurgen Meekel and Jill Richards as a member of the experimental music and sound art collective Playgroup. I have a continued collaboration with the architectural minds from Tshwane University of Technology and an exhibition is in the works for later this year. DM Mick Raubenheimer is a freelance arts writer. This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
New York Post
17-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump spars with Kaitlan Collins, lashes out at ‘CNN fake news' over Israel-Iran conflict
President Trump on Monday clashed with reporter Kaitlan Collins once again, slamming her network as 'CNN fake news' as the journalist badgered him with questions about the Israel-Iran conflict. Collins, who hosts 'The Source with Kaitlan Collins' and serves as CNN's chief White House correspondent, launched several questions at Trump about his early departure from the G7 Summit in Canada after he abruptly warned 'everyone' to evacuate Tehran. As Collins started to ask another question, surrounded by other journalists aboard Air Force One, the president cut her off, saying: 'Who else has a question other than CNN fake news?' Advertisement 3 President Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday as he departs Canada. Getty Images 3 Kaitlan Collins is CNN's chief White House correspondent. Bloomberg via Getty Images On Monday, Collins had asked Trump about a post he made on Truth Social denying claims from French President Emmanuel Macron that the US left the summit early to seek a ceasefire agreement. 'We're not looking for a ceasefire, I didn't say it was going to be a ceasefire,' Trump told Collins. Advertisement The reporter then asked if there is 'any guarantee' that a US bomb would be able to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities should the country get involved. 'There's no guarantees on everything or anything in life, you know that. Look at you, right?' Trump responded. 'I hope their program's going to be wiped out long before then but they're not going to have a nuclear weapon,' he added. Advertisement Trump has gone after Collins several times since taking office, calling her a 'low-rated anchor,' cutting her off to take queries from other journalists during press briefings and insulting her 'not very smart' questions. 3 Trump cut off Collins and asked for questions from an outlet 'other than CNN fake news.' REUTERS Macron had told reporters covering the G7 meeting that the US had assured that 'they will find a cease-fire, and since they can pressure Israel, things may change.' Trump slammed Macron's comments as 'publicity seeking,' adding that the French leader 'has no idea why I am on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire.' Advertisement As Israel and Iran traded strikes for a fifth day on Tuesday, Trump said he is looking for a 'real end' to the conflict, something 'better' than a truce.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Minnesota weather: Rainy start to Friday, flash flood warnings in western part of state
The Brief The soggy start to Friday is bringing flash flood warnings to the western part of Minnesota. The heaviest rainfall is expected to stay just outside the Twin Cities metro this morning, but will transition to weaker and spottier showers this afternoon. Showers will dissipate into scattered cloud cover into Saturday morning. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Friday morning is starting out with widespread showers across Minnesota and flash flood warnings in some parts of the state. Local perspective Pockets of heavy rainfall are mostly focused in the western part of the state, with a flash flood warning in place for Big Stone County until 9:15 a.m. Friday. Some moderate to heavy rain, accompanied by thunder, is moving through most of the viewing area, including the metro, on Friday morning. What's next Saturday will bring mild temperatures in the 70s with early morning showers dissipating into passing cloud cover. Father's Day on Sunday is looking warmer with highs near 80 & just a stray rumble chance. The Source This story uses information from the FOX 9 weather forecast.
New York Post
12-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
CNN's Anderson Cooper rakes in $18M annually — as network faces spinoff amid ratings freefall: report
CNN is reportedly paying anchor Anderson Cooper $18 million a year — an eye-popping sum that could be in the crosshairs when the ratings-challenged network is spun off by its debt-ridden parent company. Cooper, the face of the network and host of its primetime show at 8 p.m., along with other anchors like Kaitlan Collins and Jake Tapper face an uncertain future following Monday's stunning announcement by Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav about the looming split, according to the Puck newsletter. Zaslav tapped WBD Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels to take over CNN and other cable assets including TNT, TBS, HGTV as part of a new company called Global Networks. Advertisement 4 Anderson Cooper is reportedly raking in $18 million a year from CNN — even as the network faces brutal cost-cutting, cratering ratings and an uncertain future. Getty Images for CNN A source told The Post that CNN staffers are worried about Wiedenfel, who they say has a reputation for ruthlessly cutting costs. 'Gunnar news is not good,' the person said. 'He is slash and burn.' Advertisement Puck media writer Dylan Byers singled out Cooper and his $18 million salary as a possible target, considering the network remains mired in last place in the ratings. 'Why, for instance, would Gunnar pay Anderson Cooper $18 million a year when Kaitlan Collins draws the same ratings at roughly a fifth of the salary?' Byers wrote. According to the latest Nielsen ratings, 'Anderson Cooper 360' drew 647,000 total viewers on Tuesday — or about $27 per viewer. Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Advertisement 'The Source with Kaitlan Collins, which airs at 9 p.m., pulled in 829,000 viewers on Tuesday, according to Nielsen. Cooper's exact salary has never been reported and its not clear where Byers got the figure. The Post previously reported that the son of Gloria Vanderbilt is paid as much as $20 million a year. A CNN spokesperson declined to comment Cooper's salary. Cooper, who joined CNN in 2001, may not stick around for the purported bloodbath. Advertisement 'By the time Gunnar gets around to it, Anderson will likely have determined that he no longer wants to read the day's news to less than a million people every night, either,' Byers wrote. 4 Gunnar Wiedenfels, Warner Bros. Discovery's chief financial officer, is set to take over the company's flailing cable assets, including CNN. Warner Bros. Discovery The CNN rep vigorously pushed back on Byers' suggestion that high-salaried anchors may get severe haircuts amid anticipated restructuring under Wiedenfels. 'This is a complete fabrication. There is zero truth to this,' the spokesperson said. The cable news pioneer — which touts itself as 'The Most Trusted Name in News' — had paid out hefty contracts but its ratings have plunged to historic lows in recent years. During breaking news events, Fox News has often quadrupled CNN's audience. Fox News is a unit of Fox Corp — sister company to The Post's corporate parent News Corp. 4 Warner Bros. Discovery under the leadership of CEO David Zaslav recently announced it would split into two companies. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement The economics of maintaining a sprawling global news operation with expensive talent are becoming increasingly hard to defend, especially as younger viewers turn to TikTok and YouTube for news. Last fall, CNN denied raises to veteran anchors Tapper and Wolf Blitzer as rank-and-file journalists braced for layoffs, as The Post reported. 4 Cooper reportedly earns a salary that is five times more than fellow prime time anchor Kaitlan Collins, who draws around the same number of viewers. Bloomberg via Getty Images As part of the Warner Bros. Discovery breakup, Zaslav will keep HBO, Warner Bros. Studios and the Max streaming platform. Advertisement Last week, 59% of shareholders voted against his massive $51.9 million pay package for 2024 — a strong sign of investor frustration. WBD was formed in 2022 in a $43.1 billion merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery. The majority of WBD's roughly $37 billion in debt load will be foisted onto the Global Network.
