Salem News Channel

WASHINGTON, July 29 (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday issued another round of Iran-related sanctions, taking aim at Iran's efforts to "monetize the Strait of Hormuz" with designations of 10 entities and eight more tankers, the U.S. Treasury Department said. Six of the entities targeted for sanctions were based in China, it said. The sanctions followed a vow by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier on Wednesday to hit Iran hard, according to an interview with Fox News, after the U.S. military said it had intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran toward American forces in the Middle East. The United States and Saudi Arabia jointly struck Iran-backed ?groups in Iraq on Wednesday. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated two firms, the Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Co and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority, which it said were integral to an Iranian scheme to extract digital assets and other revenue from ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz through various insurance policies. “With its economy in freefall and inflation in the triple digits, the regime is desperate for cash,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “The United States will not allow Iran to hold global commerce hostage or use international shipping to finance the IRGC’s terrorism, aggression, and repression,” Bessent said, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The new sanctions are part of a broader push by the Trump administration to leverage both economic tools and military strikes to intensify pressure on Iran and end a deeply unpopular war that has dragged Trump's approval ratings lower. "The Iran war demonstrates that this administration will use U.S. economic and military power in concert," said Jess Hoversen, a former OFAC official who is now chief economist at Column, a digital platform bank. OFAC has moved quickly to designate maritime logistics, currency exchange infrastructure, and procurement networks, even as the U.S. military has increased its strikes, she said. "Treasury is moving at an operational tempo, and combining military strikes with targeted sanctions could be a template for future conflicts," Hoversen said. Since the start of 2026, OFAC has sanctioned over 100 vessels linked to Iran's shadow fleet, which has been used to keep oil revenue flowing despite international sanctions.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Sen. Lindsey Graham is being buried in South Carolina, where a funeral in the state capital is drawing people who remember him as the son of pool hall owners who never forgot his roots. The Republican powerbroker was eulogized Tuesday in Washington by the president and other national leaders. Wednesday's funeral is featuring mourners who recall how he knew every mayor, went to many state festivals and helped any local Republican he could. The senator died suddenly on July 11 in Washington, likely from an aortic tear. He was 71. Now his sister is holding his seat and being challenged by eight other Republicans in a special primary.

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CAIRO (AP) — Iran has launched a barrage of missiles at American forces in the Middle East. The U.S., meanwhile, partnered with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to strike Iran-backed militias in neighboring Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters. Iraqi militia officials said six Iranian advisers were also killed in the U.S.-Saudi strikes. The flare-up after several days of relative calm raised the risk of a return to all-out war. It also underscored the difficulty of winding down a five-month conflict that has jolted the world economy and is deeply unpopular among Americans. Saudi Arabia had accused the Iraqi militias of firing drones against its oil facilities.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday despite persistently high inflation and a spike in energy prices caused by the Iran war. The Fed’s rate-setting committee reached the 9-3 decision after two days of deliberations, marking the fifth straight meeting at which the benchmark rate was kept at around 3.6%. Dissenting in favor of a quarter-point interest rate hike were Beth Hammack, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; Neel Kashkari, president of the Minneapolis Fed; and Lorie Logan, president of the Dallas Fed. Inflation has been stuck above the central bank’s 2% target for more than five years.

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Dr. Fauci is the Godfather of Stupid

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The Snake Dr. Fauci Pleads the 5th

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Faced with questions about the devastation inflicted on the country, the face of science refused every answer—even the day of the week, the color of his tie, and the carpet—by repeatedly invoking the Fifth.

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Ted Cruz warns that publishing property owners’ names is deliberate fuel for leftist harassment and worse, tying it to celebrations of CEO murders, riots, and political assassinations—all while a million dollars buys little in New York.

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In part two of this conversation, Chuck Swindoll reflects on more than six decades of ministry, sharing what he wishes he had done differently. He talks about learning to say yes sooner, encourage others more often, criticize less, and involve his wife, Cynthia, as a true ministry partner much earlier in life. Chuck also discusses the four temptations every pastor faces—sloth, silver, self, and sex—and explains why the need for vigilance never disappears, even at 85. Greg asks Chuck what passage he would preach if he had only one sermon left to give. His answer centers on the message of God's grace—freely given through Christ, undeserved and available to all who believe. Along the way, Chuck shares memories of mentors from Dallas Theological Seminary, reflects on the value of memorized hymns, addresses the rise of antisemitism, and speaks candidly about caring for Cynthia as she lives with dementia. The conversation closes with Chuck offering a heartfelt prayer over Greg, his family, and his ministry.

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This episode features a candid conversation with syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, discussing several pressing topics. The discussion begins with a critique of Dr. Anthony Fauci, highlighting discrepancies between his public statements and private writings, and the subsequent impact on public health decisions. The conversation then shifts to recent significant meetings between President Trump and world leaders, including President Zelensky and Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the potential implications of these meetings. Additionally, the discussion covers concerns about economic policies, the role of capitalism versus socialism in the economy, and reflections on the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s legacy and character. Throughout, Cal Thomas shares personal anecdotes and insights, providing a thoughtful analysis of current events and their broader impacts.

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Larry O'Connor and Mary Catherine Ham discuss the anticipated Senate testimony of Anthony Fauci, highlighting the significance of holding powerful public officials accountable, especially in light of revelations from his personal writings. They emphasize the importance of revisiting past decisions and their impact, particularly on education and public health. Ham criticizes the hero worship of Fauci and suggests questions for the hearing, focusing on his role in school closures and the broader consequences of pandemic measures. They also touch on the upcoming 9-11 Heroes Run organized by the Travis Manion Foundation, an event aimed at honoring fallen heroes and fostering a spirit of service among the youth. The conversation underscores the need for reflection on past actions and the role of accountability in public service.

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Newly released audio recordings appear to show former President Joe Biden discussing classified information with a biographer and at times describing memory lapses during interviews conducted before the 2020 presidential election. The recordings were made public after Biden lost a prolonged legal battle to keep the conversations private. The interviews were conducted as part of work on a memoir and include discussions about his time as vice president, personal recollections and documents he retained after leaving office. According to the released recordings and transcripts, Biden appears to acknowledge retaining some classified material while also referencing moments when he struggled to recall certain dates and events. Supporters argue the recordings lack important context, while critics say they raise new questions about his handling of sensitive information. The release is expected to intensify political debate over Biden's handling of classified documents and the federal investigation that followed.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a Republican-led Senate hearing Wednesday, refusing to answer questions about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The now-retired infectious disease expert was subpoenaed by Sen. Rand Paul, who has been among Fauci's most vocal critics and has repeatedly accused him of misleading Congress about the origins of the coronavirus. Fauci has consistently denied those allegations. The hearing is part of an ongoing effort by some congressional Republicans to further investigate the federal government's pandemic response and pursue potential legal action against Fauci. His decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment added a dramatic turn to the proceedings and is expected to fuel continued political debate over the government's handling of COVID-19. President Donald Trump also weighed in, saying he believed Fauci made poor decisions regarding mask guidance and widespread shutdowns during the pandemic.

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The teenager responsible for the deadly 2024 mass shooting at Georgia's Apalachee High School has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sixteen-year-old Colt Gray pleaded guilty to murder and other charges stemming from the September 2024 attack, which killed two students and two teachers and injured several others. Gray was just 14 years old when he carried out the shooting. During sentencing, prosecutors said Gray had researched previous mass shootings and studied other attackers before planning the assault. The case drew national attention because of Gray's age and renewed calls for stronger school safety measures. The life sentence brings one of the most closely watched school shooting cases in recent years to a close, though investigations into the circumstances leading up to the attack have continued.

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President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House to discuss expanding Ukraine's domestic weapons production as the war with Russia continues. The meeting came shortly after a NATO summit in Turkey, where Trump announced the United States would allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, a move aimed at strengthening the country's ability to defend itself against Russian attacks. Following the talks, Zelenskyy described the meeting as productive and thanked Trump for the continued support, emphasizing that diplomacy remains essential alongside military assistance. Trump later called the discussions "very well" and expressed confidence in the ongoing partnership. Zelenskyy was also in Washington to attend the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham, where he met with several U.S. senators following the service to discuss continued support for Ukraine.

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President Donald Trump says he plans to invite a California lifeguard to the White House after the man risked his life to rescue a young boy from dangerous surf at Santa Cruz's Seabright Beach. The dramatic rescue was captured on video as the lifeguard swam through powerful crashing waves to reach the child and bring him safely back to shore. The footage quickly spread online, drawing widespread praise for the lifeguard's quick actions and bravery. Trump said the lifeguard will be presented with a high civilian honor in recognition of the heroic rescue. The president also said he may invite the rescued boy and his family to the White House as part of the ceremony.

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A school district in upstate New York has delayed plans to introduce an AI-powered humanoid robot into a high school classroom after concerns were raised about student privacy and data security. The robot had been purchased to support robotics and technology education, giving students hands-on experience with artificial intelligence and advanced automation. However, the rollout was paused after state officials and community members questioned how student data would be collected, stored and protected. Additional scrutiny followed reports that the robot's manufacturer has ties to a company known for producing hyper-realistic sex robots, prompting further concerns from parents and residents. District officials say the program will remain on hold while they conduct a more thorough review of the technology, privacy protections and potential risks before making a final decision.

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Jordan says its air defenses intercepted five missiles launched from Iran early Wednesday, as tensions across the Middle East continued to rise following a series of military exchanges involving the United States and its allies. The interceptions came just hours after U.S. Central Command announced it had successfully shot down an Iranian missile barrage targeting American forces stationed in the region. According to U.S. officials, all incoming missiles aimed at U.S. personnel were intercepted, and no injuries or damage were reported. The developments followed coordinated U.S. and Saudi Arabian airstrikes targeting Iran-backed militia sites in Iraq. Officials said the strikes were intended to degrade the militias' operational capabilities after recent attacks linked to Iranian proxy groups. The latest exchange marks another escalation in the growing confrontation between Iran, the United States and its regional partners, raising concerns about broader instability across the Middle East.

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President Donald Trump paid an emotional tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, calling him a "great friend" who dedicated his life to serving the American people and the U.S. Senate. Speaking at Graham's funeral at Washington National Cathedral, Trump praised the South Carolina Republican's decades of public service, describing him as a loyal ally, patriot and tireless advocate for the nation. Trump reflected on their longtime friendship, saying Graham remained committed to his work until the very end. The service drew current and former lawmakers, foreign leaders and dignitaries from around the world to honor Graham's legacy. Following the funeral, Graham was scheduled to return to his home state of South Carolina for burial.

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