Iran rebuilding military industrial base faster than expected, CNN reports

May 21 (Reuters) - Iran has already restarted some ‌of its drone production ‌during the six-week ceasefire that began ​in early April, CNN reported on Thursday, citing two sources familiar with ‌U.S. intelligence ⁠assessments.

US intelligence indicates Iran’s military is rebuilding ⁠much faster than initially estimated, the report added, ​citing four ​sources.

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Reuters could ​not immediately ‌verify the report.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States was ready to proceed with further ‌attacks on ​Tehran if Iran ​did ​not agree to ‌a peace deal, but ​suggested ​Washington could wait a few days to "get the right ​answers."

(Reporting ‌by Rhea Rose Abraham ​in Bengaluru; Editing by ​Aidan Lewis)

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May 21, 2026

Iran rebuilding military industrial base faster than expected, CNN reports

May 21 (Reuters) - Iran has already restarted some ‌of its drone production ‌during the six-week ceasefire that began ​in early April, ...

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2028 NFL draft to take place in Minnesota

The site for the 2028 NFL draft has been chosen, and it will not be in Arizona. It will be in Minnesota.

The NFL selected Minnesota to host the 2028 NFL draft.

After years at Radio City Music Hall in New York, it began to rotate host cities in 2015. Phoenix, Arizona has not yet hosted a draft. It was in Pittsburgh this year and will be in Washington D.C. in 2027.

Since 2015, here have been the locations of the draft:

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• 2015: Chicago

• 2016: Chicago

• 2017: Philadelphia

• 2018: Dallas

• 2019: Nashville

• 2020: Virtual

• 2021: Cleveland

• 2022: Las Vegas

• 2023: Kansas City

• 2024: Detroit

• 2025: Green Bay

• 2026: Pittsburgh

We can add D.C. and Minnesota to that list now.

Will the Phoenix area ever get serious enough about wanting to host the draft.

Get moreCardinalsand NFL coverage fromCardsWire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe onSpotify,YouTubeorApple podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Cards Wire:2028 NFL draft to take place in Minnesota

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May 20, 2026

2028 NFL draft to take place in Minnesota

The site for the 2028 NFL draft has been chosen, and it will not be in Arizona. It will be in Minnesota. The NFL selected Minneso...

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Could former Commanders LB Bobby Wagner land with AFC contender?

At the conclusion of the 2025 season, theWashington Commanderswere facing a massive wave of impending free agents ahead of the March 11 opening of the market. In total, 40 players were set to become free agents. Since then, theCommandershave brought back 17 of those players; six have landed contracts elsewhere, and 17 are still without a deal.

One of the remaining available free agents is linebacker Bobby Wagner. NFL analysts and experts have tried to figure out the best landing spots for the remaining top free agents, including Wagner. In a recent ESPN article by Matt Bowen, Wagner appears tofit bestwith theJacksonville Jaguars.

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Wagner's 9.5 tackles per game ranked sixth overall in 2025, showing he can still key quickly and rack up run stops. He does have limitations in coverage at this stage of his career, which Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile would have to manage.

However, as an early-down defender, Wagner could potentially take on the role next to Foyesade Oluokun. Devin Lloyd, who was a mainstay on Jacksonville's second level, signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Panthers this offseason.

If any team could benefit from Wagner's veteran leadership and production, it's the Jaguars. In 2025, their leading tackler was linebacker Foyesade Oluokun with 143 tackles. The next player behind him was safety Andrew Wingard with 84 tackles. And this was with Devin Lloyd. Jacksonville saw Lloyd depart in free agency this offseason and needs a replacement. While the current version of Wagner lacks Lloyd's athleticism, he could bring to Jacksonville in 2026 what he brought to Washington in 2024.

Bobby Wagner could be a difference-maker in Jacksonville, even at his age. His presence, veteran experience, and quality character are all reasons to want Wagner on your team. For the Jags, adding his production would be huge. Wagner has 2,000 tackles over his career, an average of almost 143 tackles per season. He may not be the player he once was, but he still has some gas left in the tank and could very well help a Jacksonville linebacking corps that is slim in depth and production.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire:Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner's 'best fit' is with AFC contender

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May 20, 2026

Could former Commanders LB Bobby Wagner land with AFC contender?

At the conclusion of the 2025 season, theWashington Commanderswere facing a massive wave of impending free agents ahead of the March 11...

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Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate runoff

President Donald Trumphas endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate runoff race.

"The Highly Respected Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, an America First Patriot, and someone who has always been extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT, is running for the United States Senate," Trump said in a social media post.

This long-awaited endorsement comes as early voting in Texas started Monday, May 18, for theRepublican U.S. Senate primary runoffbetween Paxton and incumbent John Cornyn, among other runoff elections across the state.

Trump saidin his postthat Cornyn is a "good man," but cited the senator's lack of support for him when "times were tough" and his late backing during Trump's 2024 presidential run as reasons he did not endorse him.

Paxton also took tosocial media,saying he was honored to be endorsed by the president.

"No one has ever fought harder for the American people than President Trump, and I look forward to championing his America First agenda in the Senate!" read Paxton's statement.

Recent pollingin early May shows that Paxton narrowly leads Cornyn in the race, with Election Day being on May 26.

The race between the two to become the Republican nominee has grown increasingly bitter, with each airing several politically and personally charged attack adsover the past few weeks.

While Paxton gained Trump's support today, neither candidate has won the backing of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott,who ruled out endorsing either candidate last week.

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz have also not endorsed either candidate.

The winner of the runoff election is set to face the Democratic nominee, state Rep. James Talarico, in the November 2026 general election.

Cornyn responds to Trump endorsing Paxton

After Trump announced his endorsement, Sen. Cornyn said he has worked closely with Trump during both presidential terms and voted with him more than 99% of the time in a statement.

"He has consistently called me a friend in this race," read the statement. "It is now time for Texas Republican voters to decide if they want a strong nominee to help our GOP candidates down ballot and defeat Talarico in November, or a weak nominee who jeopardizes everything we care about. I trust the Republican voters of Texas.

A recent poll showsCornyn and Paxton statistically tied in hypothetical general-election matchups against Talarico.

Talarico responds to Trump's endorsement of Paxton

Talarico's camp released a statement on Trump weighing in on the Paxton-Cornyn Republican runoff election, saying it really doesn't matter who wins the runoff election

"We already know who we’re running against: the billionaire mega-donors and their corrupt political system. For decades, John Cornyn and Ken Paxton have embodied a broken politics that enriches wealthy donors while costs skyrocket for the rest of us," read Talarico's statement.

The Democratic nominee noted that his movement to take Texas back for the working people rises above partisan politics.

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times:Trump endorses Paxton in Texas Senate race

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May 20, 2026

Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate runoff

President Donald Trumphas endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate runoff race. "The Highly Respected A...

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Blanche will face questions from lawmakers over a nearly $1.8B fund to compensate Trump allies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will appear on Capitol Hill Tuesday for his first congressional testimony since taking the reins at the Justice Department as the law enforcement agency faces intense scrutiny over its plans to create a$1.776 billion fund to pay allies of the Republican presidentwho believe they were targeted politically.

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Blanche's testimony before a Senate appropriations subcommittee follows Monday's announcement about the creation of the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which critics decried as an illegal abuse of power designed to line the pockets of Trump supporters with taxpayer dollars.

In the weeks sinceassuming control of the Justice Department, Blanche has moved aggressively to advance the president's priorities —pushing forward casesagainst Trump's political foes, cracking down on leaks to media outlets and establishing the new fund to compensate those who believe they were mistreated by the Biden administration Justice Department.

Tuesday’s hearing is meant to address the Trump administration's budget request for the Justice Department but is likely to delve into other controversies that have escalated concerns about theerosion of the law enforcement agency's tradition of independencefrom the White House.

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Blanche is expected to face tough questions from lawmakers about the fund designed to resolve Trump's lawsuitagainst the Internal Revenue Serviceover the leak of his tax returns. Nearly 100 Democrats in the House of Representatives signed onto a legal brief urging a judge to block what they described as an unprecedented resolution that they said would unjustly enrich people close to the president and open the door to meritless claims of political persecution.

“Let’s call this what it is: a billion-dollar slush fund for Trump to reward felons, insurrectionists, and cronies, paid for by YOUR taxpayer dollars,” Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, a member of the subcommittee from Delaware, wrote on X. “It’s bad enough that this DOJ believes it works for Donald Trump. Now, it’s giving him its budget to use as his piggy bank.”

Blanche said Monday the fund will allow for people who believe they were targeted for prosecution for political purposes to apply for payouts, creating what he described as “a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.”

“The machinery of government should never be weaponized against any American, and it is this Department’s intention to make right the wrongs that were previously done while ensuring this never happens again,” Blanche said in a statement.

The fund is a further demonstration of the administration’s eagerness to reward allies who before Trump came to power were investigated and in some cases charged and convicted. Most notably,the president on his first day back in office pardoned or commutedthe sentences of supporters who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His Justice Department since then hasapproved payouts to supporters entangled in the Trump-Russia investigationandinvestigated and prosecuted some of his perceived adversaries.

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May 19, 2026

Blanche will face questions from lawmakers over a nearly $1.8B fund to compensate Trump allies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will appear on Capitol Hill Tuesday for his first congressional testimony since ...

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Bubba Wallace's status in No. 23 car for 2027 NASCAR season revealed

Bubba Wallace had a very strong start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, but it has fallen apart over the last month. Entering the 2026 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Wallace sits 10th in the point standings, which is a massive drop from second place. So, is the 23XI Racing driver's ride in jeopardy for 2027?

Wallace is in an option year and expected to return to the No. 23 car for 23XI Racing in 2027, asreported by FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass. Since Wallace has a contract option, 23XI Racing must decide on his future in 2026. Quite frankly, it is a very easy choice for the NASCAR team.

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Since 2021, Wallace has brought 23XI Racing to new levels, and his performance on the race track has improved. There are very few drivers who could be an upgrade over the 32-year-old competitor, but replacing him makes no sense anyway. Wallace has found a home at 23XI Racing, and he should be expected to return in 2027.

More:23XI Racing's likely replacement for Riley Herbst in 2027 revealed

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire:Bubba Wallace's status in No. 23 car for 2027 NASCAR season revealed

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May 19, 2026

Bubba Wallace's status in No. 23 car for 2027 NASCAR season revealed

Bubba Wallace had a very strong start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, but it has fallen apart over the last month. Entering the 2...

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Sweden to buy navy frigates from France for over $4 billion

By Johan Ahlander

STOCKHOLM, May 19 (Reuters) - Sweden said on Tuesday it had chosen France's Naval Group to supply four new frigates ‌for its navy, with the first delivery expected in 2030 at ‌a total cost of some 40 billion Swedish crowns ($4.25 billion).

The purchase of the French Defence ​and Intervention (FDI) frigate model will be Sweden's biggest military investment since the 1980s, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference.

Sweden is racing to build up its military in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Nordic ‌country's subsequent accession to ⁠NATO, with the new frigates representing a significant expansion of maritime defence capabilities.

The government has requested that several weapons systems ⁠developed in Sweden, including by Saab, can be utilised by the vessels, Defence Minister Pal Jonson said.

Each vessel is expected to cost around 10 billion Swedish ​crowns, ​depending on the exact weapons systems on ​board, with the first delivery ‌expected to take place in 2030, Jonson said.

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The right-wing government, one of Ukraine's staunchest backers in Europe, has said it expects to reach NATO targets for military spending of 3.5% of GDP already in 2030, several years ahead of the alliance's deadline.

The new frigates will be the largest surface ‌warships in Sweden's navy and have an expected ​lifespan of some 40 years, the government ​has previously said.

Naval won the ​race in competition with a joint bid by Britain's ‌Babcock and Saab as well as one ​from Spain's Navantia.

The ​frigates are seen as a key component of Sweden's air defence and protecting the Baltic Sea. In addition to the four frigates Sweden ​has five smaller ‌Visby-class corvettes and is currently upgrading its fleet of submarines.

($1 = 9.4037 ​Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander and Soren Jeppesen, editing by Terje ​Solsvik, Essi Lehto and Niklas Pollard)

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May 19, 2026

Sweden to buy navy frigates from France for over $4 billion

By Johan Ahlander STOCKHOLM, May 19 (Reuters) - Sweden said on Tuesday it had chosen France's Naval Group to supply four new ...

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