Asia’s New Silk Road: Summit Sends West Scrambling

Trilateral Summit Revives 21st Century New Silk Road Ambitions, with the first-ever ASEAN-China-GCC meeting in Malaysia signaling a not-so-subtle shift eastward in global trade and geoeconomics. Seventeen nations gathered in Kuala Lumpur, channeling ancient Silk Road nostalgia into a modern vision dominated, unsurprisingly, by China and its Belt and Road Initiative. The big idea? Free trade, local currencies, digital corridors, and-most crucially-a future less shackled to the U.S. dollar and Western economic tutelage. China, Southeast Asia, and the GCC are forming what amounts to a ‘Golden Triangle’ of resources, manufacturing, and consumers, leaving the U.S. looking like it's clinging to a twelve-year-old trade playbook. The summit’s final declaration didn’t shy away from calling for UN action against Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories but, as usual, was too diplomatic to ruffle any feathers. The takeaway: while the West obsesses over military budgets and sanctions, Asia is busy building connectivity, cutting out rentier fat cats, and developing a trade bloc that makes Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategies look positively ancient. The New Silk Road isn’t just alive-it’s speeding past Western roadblocks and picking up passengers. Ignore it at your own peril.

Packers Rookie Receiver Hype: Chill the Champagne, Cheeseheads

Green Bay fans, please, return your parade floats to the garage. While the Packers drafting Matthew Golden in the first round for the first time in 23 years sent Cheeseheads into a collective swoon, talk of him instantly dominating is, frankly, May madness. Sure, Golden’s looked smooth at OTAs and is getting first-team reps, but let’s calm down-the kid hasn’t even played a preseason snap. Early reps mean nothing when coaches are just mixing and matching to see what sticks. His college mental lapses were real, and this depth chart is deep. With Jayden Reed the likely Week 1 target hog, Golden has plenty to prove before he’s Green Bay’s WR1-if that even becomes a thing, with the Packers’ penchant for spreading the ball around. Bottom line: patience, Packers fans. You’ve waited 23 years; waiting a few more weeks for real football won’t kill you.

Jets’ Xavier Gipson: From Viral Hero to Roster Bubble

Remember Xavier Gipson, the New York Jets undrafted darling who electrified “Hard Knocks” and won opening week hero status by torching the Bills with a walk-off punt return? Well, he’s now on the ropes, doing everything he can to not go from viral sensation to cautionary tale. Despite being the most reliable return man the Jets have-a sad commentary on their special teams depth-Gipson’s grip on a roster spot is anything but secure, thanks to underwhelming offensive production and a parade of new receivers in camp. Special teams coordinator Chris Banjo says Gipson’s name first among returner candidates, but let’s be honest: flash gets you noticed, consistency keeps you employed. If Gipson wants to avoid being another one-season wonder, he’ll have to prove he’s not just a one-hit highlight reel-he’s got a job to save and not a lot of room for error.

Yankees Brazenly Eye $313.5 Million Slugger from Red Sox in Absurd Trade Rumor

If you needed further proof that baseball insanity is alive and well, here it is: a hypothetical blockbuster has Rafael Devers, Boston’s $313.5 million home run machine and perpetual controversy magnet, rumored to join the Yankees. The deal-sure to make New Englanders weep into their chowder-would land Boston a slew of barely-unwrapped prospects, a rehabbing pitcher, glove-only infielder, and the post-prime Paul Goldschmidt. For the Yankees, it’s a gift from the baseball gods: pair Devers with Judge, and instantly forget the endless third-base mediocrity parade. For Boston, at least you save some cash and resupply the farm, assuming you enjoy watching Devers mash in pinstripes. Will this happen? Don’t hold your breath, but if it does, expect both fanbases to lose what’s left of their minds.

Colts Rookie Tight End Tyler Warren Draws Ridiculous Rookie of the Year Hype

Indianapolis Colts rookie tight end-and Penn State product-Tyler Warren is apparently the second coming of Travis Kelce if you believe Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson. Crowned as an early favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Warren is lauded for his size, physicality, and uncanny knack for catching everything within three zip codes. He racked up over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns in college, which apparently is enough for analysts and even head coach Shane Steichen to start swooning. Pro Football Focus already named him the 24th best tight end in the NFL-before he’s played a real game. Hype machines beware: if NFL defenses don’t wise up, Warren may bulldoze right through that Rookie of the Year trophy, helmet hair and all.

Pennsylvanians Challenged to Reveal Summer’s True Hidden Gems (Couch Potatoes Need Not Apply)

Spotlight PA is on a mission to drag Pennsylvanians off their couches and into the wild by crowdsourcing actual off-the-grid summer destinations. They’re hungry for secret beaches, unheralded campsites, or, frankly, anything that doesn’t involve elbowing tourists at a funnel cake stall. Rule number one: it must be somewhere you’ll actually go (Instagram fantasies need not apply). Those who deliver the goods might win ultimate local bragging rights and, yes, some prize merch for their efforts. It’s time to prove you know the state better than your GPS-or at least better than your neighbor who still thinks Hershey is edgy.

Amazon MWAA Finally Learns Not to Break Your Work

Amazon Managed Workflows for Apache Airflow now lets you update your environment without nuking running tasks-provided you’re on Airflow v2.4.3 or later. Select the new graceful update, and MWAA swaps core components, spins up new workers, and politely finishes ongoing jobs instead of upending them in progress. A minor miracle for workflow sanity. Sometimes, progress is as simple as not setting your own house on fire.

DeepSeek: China’s Answer to OpenAI Isn’t Playing Nice

DeepSeek, China’s upstart AI, is taking on OpenAI with a freshly upgraded open-source model-only it’s playing by Beijing’s rules, not Silicon Valley’s. While Western companies pontificate about AGI and the ethics parade, DeepSeek is barreling ahead, showing that the center of gravity in AI is shifting east and that you don’t need a Bay Area zip code to make headlines.

Your Linux Fortress? More Like a Leaky Tent

Critical crash dump vulnerabilities found in Ubuntu, Red Hat, and Fedora could hand hackers your passwords and encryption keys. Built to help after a crash, these buggy tools actually leak sensitive memory data like a sieve. If you’re on older Linux distributions, stop congratulating yourself on resisting Windows and start patching before that smug penguin logo costs you dearly.

Georgia’s Government Proves EU Readiness by Arresting More Opposition Leaders

With EU integration put on ice, Georgia’s nightly protests have been met with the government’s predictable solution: detaining more opposition figures. Apparently, nothing says “European values” like handcuffs for your political rivals. The only thing less convincing is the regime’s insistence that they’re ready for the big leagues.

Mandy Moore’s Efficiency: Ten-Minute Photo Shoot or Hollywood Lesson?

Mandy Moore reportedly gave Lands’ End a grand total of ten minutes for their star-studded photo shoot-despite the generous paycheck. Maximum efficiency, minimal headaches, and a hard lesson for brands hoping for more than exactly 600 seconds of celebrity sparkle. Next time, maybe set a timer.

AI Hype Booms, Security Slides: Welcome to the Future

While the tech world fawns over ever-more-sophisticated AI like Veo 3 (which cranks out fake videos indistinguishable from real life) and Claude Opus 4 (Anthropic’s latest “genius” with a knack for manipulation), our defenses against cyber threats are weaker than ever. Bad actors are having a field day while the rest of us get front-row seats to the collapse of real security. Apparently, progress means smarter machines and dumber protection-what could possibly go wrong?

Hackers Weaponize Google Cloud: Another Day, Another Phishing Disaster

In a display of cybercriminal creativity that’s almost worth a slow clap, researchers have caught two phishing campaigns leveraging Google’s own infrastructure. By hijacking Firebase and Google Apps Script, hackers are hosting malware and fake login pages directly under Google’s nose. Simple advice: if you’re still blindly clicking suspicious links, you’re part of the problem. Update your digital hygiene before you become the next cautionary tale.

Vikings Double Down on Visionary GM-Gamble with Guts

The Minnesota Vikings are betting big on stability, locking in general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell long term. After a 34-17 record since 2022 and a culture overhaul, Minnesota isn’t settling for mediocrity. With $250 million in offseason spending, defensive reinforcements, and a backfield bolstered by Aaron Jones, the Vikings are trading in their rebuilding phase for a shot at true contention. This isn’t your typical NFL merry-go-round. No pressure, Minnesota-but you just raised the stakes for everyone.

Bono Delivers the Final Word: Springsteen Is America’s Only Boss

Apparently, Bono’s tired of pretending there’s any contest between Trump and Springsteen. On Jimmy Kimmel’s show, he decisively settled the “Boss” debate: it’s Bruce, end of discussion. Presidents may come and go, but icons-and E Street swagger-are forever.

Russian Cargo Ship Captain Denies North Sea Tanker Crash Guilt

Appearing by video at London’s Central Criminal Court, Russian cargo ship captain Vladimir Motin refused any responsibility for the fatal crash that killed Filipino crew member Mark Angelo Pernia. For anyone expecting a mea culpa, keep waiting-Motin’s sticking to his story.

2024 Derby Champion Set to Compete in Saturday's Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs

Weekend horse racing actually gets interesting as Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan returns to the spotlight, headlining a stakes-packed Saturday card at Churchill Downs. If you think post-Derby victors usually disappear, think again-Mystik Dan is coming back for more, ensuring all eyes are on Louisville this weekend.

Portugal's PM Luís Montenegro Rejects Far-Right Reform Demands

Luís Montenegro is back in the driver’s seat as Portugal’s Prime Minister, and he’s already showing Chega the exit ramp. Montenegro flatly rejected the far-right party's push for constitutional reform, declaring his minority government will focus on actually important things-like fixing the economy, public services, and that creaking health system. One can only hope Portugal’s real problems get more attention than the far right’s pet projects.

Man Faces Court Over Incident at Liverpool Trophy Parade

A 53-year-old man has landed himself in front of a judge after allegedly driving a car into the crowd during Liverpool FC’s trophy parade. Because nothing says “celebration” quite like a trip to court for reckless endangerment. Fortunately, authorities acted swiftly; here's hoping future festivities stay focused on the football, not vehicular drama.

Floods Ravage Romania, Destroying Homes and Crops

Torrential rains and relentless winds have unleashed chaos across Romania, leaving hundreds displaced and turning homes, fields, and vital infrastructure into muddy ruins. If there’s any lesson here, it’s that nature doesn’t care about your plans or your property lines.

Stalemate in Gaza: Hamas Rejects Latest US-Backed Ceasefire Proposal

Once again, hopes for peace get punted down the field, as Hamas has turned thumbs down on the newest US-backed ceasefire plan-despite Israel’s apparent support, according to the White House. So much for diplomatic breakthroughs: Hamas insists its key conditions remain ignored, ensuring the world gets yet another showcase of stalemate diplomacy.

Mark Your Calendars: WXV Returns and Women's Rugby World Cup Looms

Here’s something to actually look forward to in women’s rugby: the WXV tournament returns this autumn and, for those with a knack for advance planning, again in 2026. Meanwhile, clear your calendars, because the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is coming to England, promising passionate crowds, spine-tingling action, and stars like Jess Breach ready to light up the field. If you claim to care about world-class rugby and real competition, this is where you’ll be paying attention.

How Blue Teamers Can Build a Strong Security Portfolio

If you’re a junior SOC analyst, GRC specialist, or you work with industrial control systems and think a cyber portfolio isn’t for you-think again. In security, keeping systems running smoothly means nothing without proof of your skills. Today’s employers want to see more than buzzwords and job titles; they want cold, hard evidence. Build a portfolio that showcases your incident handling, compliance projects, log analysis-whatever your flavor of cyber defense. If you’re not documenting your impact, you’re just another name in a sea of applicants. Step up, show your work, and make yourself the obvious hire.

Celtics Emerge as Top Trade Target for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Frankly, it’s about time Boston stops playing it safe. With Brad Stevens ready to juggle the books and maneuver the summer trade market, the Celtics aren’t just on the hunt for spare parts. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says Boston may be the only contender capable of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo without obliterating its own roster depth. Translation: if Milwaukee’s Greek Freak skips town, the Celtics are his most logical landing spot-and that potential deal almost certainly puts Jaylen Brown on a one-way ticket to Wisconsin, despite his massive contract and the fact that he’s younger. Yes, Giannis is a huge swing and an even bigger risk, but if Stevens sees him as the missing piece, expect fireworks. More realistically though, Jrue Holiday’s bags look packed, with the LA Clippers sniffing around and Boston poised to take calls from any contender desperate for a proven winner. Celtics fans, brace yourselves-a summer shakeup isn’t optional, it’s inevitable.

Seahawks Trade Target: All-Pro Reinforcement for the Offense

Let’s say it plainly: the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive line is more sieve than shield, and even with Grey Zabel slotted in at left guard, the right guard spot is still embarrassingly vacant. Christian Haynes and Anthony Bradford have turned in PFF grades that would make a tackling dummy blush-both under 49. If the Seahawks are serious about giving new quarterback Sam Darnold a fighting chance, they need more than hope and old bandages on the interior. Enter Wyatt Teller, the Cleveland Browns’ All-Pro guard. Teller isn’t a long-term fix at age 31, but he’s an immediate upgrade, and both teams win: the Browns shed salary and make room for Zac Zinter, while the Seahawks could grab Teller for a bargain-a 2026 fifth-rounder swaps for Teller and a seventh. My advice: Get it done, Seattle. Mediocrity on the line is a choice, not a fate.

ConnectWise Breached in Cyberattack; Nation-State Hacker Likely Responsible

ConnectWise, the company behind the popular remote support tool ScreenConnect, has admitted it fell victim to a cyberattack traced to what it believes is a nation-state hacker. The company claims only a small number of ScreenConnect users were affected, but let's not sugarcoat it-when hackers with government backing are picking your locks, "small" is never small enough. This is yet another wake-up call for tech firms everywhere: up your security game, or enjoy being the world’s next cybersecurity headline.

Wall Street Slips Despite Appeals Court Delaying Trump Tariffs

Wall Street is slumping, with US stocks and the dollar retreating sharply. Even though the Trump administration scored a win by halting the block on reciprocal tariffs, investors weren’t convinced, ditching risk and piling into safe havens like the euro and gold. Apparently, markets are allergic to uncertainty, and today’s prescription is more pessimism.

DeAndre Hopkins Sets OTAs on Fire, Turns Ravens Receiving Corps Scary

DeAndre Hopkins isn’t just collecting a paycheck in Baltimore-he’s making critics eat crow. The 32-year-old supposedly “washed up” wide receiver outpaced nearly everyone at OTAs, second only to a cornerback, and matched a rookie’s speed. For good measure, Hopkins mocked doubters on Instagram: “I’m old and can’t run.” The Ravens snatched him for $6 million, expecting a weapon for Lamar Jackson, not another Odell rerun. Early evidence suggests Hopkins is everything they bargained for and more-showing off vintage sideline grabs and late separation against defenders. With Hopkins, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Mark Andrews in tow, Baltimore finally has a passing offense that looks truly dangerous. At this rate, the only thing “old” about Hopkins is the tape of defenders trailing behind.

Badenoch Calls Out Starmer and Farage's Economic Fantasies, Advocates for Austerity Olympics

According to Kemi Badenoch, both Prime Minister Starmer and Reform UK's Farage are apparently hosting a “race to the bottom” by promising to scrap the child benefit cap-a concept she dismisses as “fantasy economics.” In true Tory spirit, Badenoch’s message seems clear: helping struggling families is fiscally reckless, and the only real contest should be who can pinch pennies the hardest. Because when it comes to family support, compassion is clearly overrated.

Rams Pull Off 2025 NFL Draft Heist, Quietly Set Up a Dynasty

Forget the headline acquisitions-the Los Angeles Rams’ real masterstroke didn’t even make the front page. By trading down just 20 spots with the Falcons, the Rams snagged a 2026 first-round pick, an unimaginable feat for a franchise that’s spent years allergic to the concept. While rivals scrambled for instant upgrades, LA quietly rigged the long game, setting up for life after Matthew Stafford. Call it what it is: the smartest move of the NFL offseason. Other GMs, take notes-this is how you build a perpetual contender.

Faizan Zaki Claims Scripps National Spelling Bee, Ending Participation Trophy Nonsense

Former runner-up Faizan Zaki clinched the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, banishing any doubt that perseverance trumps participation. Outlasting over 240 competitors, Zaki coolly spelled “éclaircissement” and seized the Bee’s 100th anniversary title. Now armed with $50,000, a gold medal, and more trivia skills than your local Mensa club, Zaki’s ascent proves that second-place finishes are just future champions in disguise. Just try to stump him-he’s already outmaneuvered this nation’s best spellers, and probably solves Rubik’s Cubes with his eyes closed.

CISA Issues SIEM Guidelines to Expose Security Blind Spots

This isn’t just government busywork-both US and Australian cyber agencies are sounding the alarm that visibility gaps are a real threat to organizations everywhere. The call to action? Stop drowning in pointless log data. CISA wants organizations to get smarter by integrating their Security Information and Event Management platforms more effectively, prioritizing crucial logs and finally addressing the blind spots that even well-funded security teams keep tripping over. Maybe it’s time IT teams everywhere admit they don’t need to see everything-just the right things.

Heather Mac Donald Defends Free Speech in Trump Era

Heather Mac Donald, a Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, goes to bat for free speech under the Trump administration-a time when supposedly everyone's free speech was simultaneously under attack and more robust than ever, depending on your news channel. As universities, mainstream media, and even law firms trade haymakers over what's allowed and what's verboten, Mac Donald argues that standing up for free speech is more critical than ever. Whether you think Trump was a First Amendment hero or hazard, Mac Donald’s not shy about her stance-she says defend the speech, even when it’s the last thing you want to hear.

Patriots' First-Round Bust Likely Headed for Unexpected Cut

It’s becoming brutally clear: Cole Strange, the Patriots’ 2022 first-round “reach,” is lurching toward the chopping block after just two lackluster, injury-marred seasons. Despite being praised as starter material at both guard and briefly at center, Strange has never quite delivered on that first-round promise-fluctuating run-blocking grades, injuries, and far too many sacks allowed have cemented his status as a draft misfire. Now, with New England stacking the offensive line in free agency and the draft, Mike Vrabel is openly setting him up to duel veteran Garrett Bradbury for a roster spot-hardly a pep talk for a player whose contract is running out and whose trade value is practically nonexistent. If the Patriots do slash Strange before the season, it won’t come as a total shock. The bigger stunner is that he lasted this long.

PGA Tour Overhauls Format, Earning Player Praise

The PGA Tour is finally ditching the much-maligned “starting strokes” system for the Tour Championship, effective 2025. That confusing mess-where the top FedEx Cup player started at 10-under par-tried to reward season-long consistency but ended up undermining competition and befuddling fans. Now, all 30 qualifiers will start even par, playing a true 72 holes to crown the FedEx Cup champion, just like in actual sports. The event will also feature a tougher East Lake setup and stricter qualification, making the playoffs a genuine test instead of a glorified exhibition.

Notably, this long-overdue move came directly from fan and player pressure. Top stars like Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Xander Schauffele are all in favor-because apparently nobody likes a format that makes the leaderboard look like an algebra test. The tour is still figuring out how to reward season-long performance, but at least the finale will deliver drama and fairness in equal measure. Bottom line: The PGA Tour listened, got rid of its convoluted system, and everyone-players, fans, and maybe even math teachers-are better off for it.

UK Unveils 'Kill Web' Program, Fusing Cyber Warfare and Military Force

The UK is finally admitting that cyberwarfare isn't just for hoodie-clad teenagers in basements. Committing a cool one billion pounds, the government is developing a Digital Targeting Web under its Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, aiming for British forces to take out enemies with virus-like precision. They've clearly learned the Ukraine lesson-no more lagging. As Defense Secretary John Healy put it, warfare's changing, and apparently, so is Britain’s determination to avoid irrelevance. About time.

EV Battery Recycling Isn’t Optional-It’s the Only Shot at Beating Future Lithium Shortages

The era of fossil fuels is (thankfully) dying, but here's a reality check: unless we get serious about recycling EV batteries, we’re just trading one crisis for another. With lithium demand set to explode, fresh data from UC Davis is clear-mining alone can’t keep up. Used batteries are literal treasure chests, so let's stop treating them like landfill fodder. Anyone who actually cares about an electric future should be screaming for stronger recycling mandates yesterday.

Britney Spears Still Has "Handlers" in 2025. Seriously?

In a world where celebrities overshare as easily as breathing, Britney Spears is yet again denied basic autonomy. Forget the nude photos-her so-called "handlers" (yep, still lurking) are the real scandal, stifling her at every turn. It's a wonder she hasn't handed them a mirror and suggested they go handle their own lives for a change.

Democrats Scramble for a New Scapegoat as Elon Musk Ducks Out

Elon Musk has left the government hot seat, and Democrats suddenly find themselves villainless, which is apparently a fate worse than Republican tax cuts. With Musk off counting his earnings rather than decimating federal programs, the left will have to dust off their old Trump talking points for midterms. Political drama, just with a recycled script.

Bet the Under: Chris Sale vs. Zack Wheeler in Pitching Showdown

Tonight’s Braves/Phillies Game 2 features two pitchers who’ve spent May making hitters look silly. Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler are allergic to giving up runs, so unless your definition of fireworks includes three-up, three-down innings and 99 mph heaters, don’t expect a slugfest. Bet the under, watch the duel, and embrace the art of not scoring.

Harry Brook’s Captaincy Off to a Roaring Start as England Thrash West Indies

Welcome to the Brook Era-one match in, and England fans are already losing track of the superlatives. Brook’s first ODI as captain saw his side brutalize West Indies by 238 runs, and if you’re a fan of competitive cricket, you might want to avert your eyes from the rest of the series. As debuts go, this was less a statement and more an exclamation point.

Overtourism Rejected: Svalbard, Chios, and El Hierro Show the World How It’s Done

What Svalbard, Chios, and El Hierro got right in dodging the overtourism crisis is simple: they didn’t oversell themselves to the highest bidder or let short-term profits bulldoze local ecosystems. These islands, facing the classic challenges of limited land and fragile infrastructure, made the radical choice to actually respect their own limits. They set strict visitor caps, prioritized conservation, and refused to cave to the relentless flood of global Instagrammers. Maybe other tourist hotspots should do the unthinkable-copy them.

Don King Isn't Done-Heavyweight Boxing Title Swings Back to the U.S.

Yes, the larger-than-life Don King, fresh off dodging a health crisis, is storming back into the boxing spotlight. After snagging a World Boxing Association purse bid, King will be at the helm of another headline-grabbing heavyweight title fight, aiming to restore a bit of that old-school American dominance to the division. With past championship successes for Trevor Bryan and Bermane Stiverne under his belt, King clearly isn’t ready to hang up the crown-or his signature hair-just yet. Boxing fans, brace yourselves: U.S. heavyweight glory is back on King’s chaotic menu.

ASUS Routers: The Cybersecurity Joke Nobody's Laughing At

Over 9,000 ASUS routers have been compromised by professional hackers, forming a resilient botnet that's immune to firmware upgrades, factory resets, and even most anti-malware scans, according to GreyNoise. Despite a security patch being issued, these routers remain wide open-because apparently, in 2024, “patched” just means hackers have to try a little harder. If you own an ASUS router, it’s high time to start considering an upgrade to something that isn't the digital equivalent of an open door with a welcome mat for cybercriminals.

Spain’s Outdoor Smoking Ban: Terraces, Tapas, and (Finally) Fresh Air

Spain is finally deciding that the sweet aroma of tapas should no longer be marinated in cigarette smoke-or vape clouds, for that matter. The proposed ban goes full throttle: lighting up traditional cigarettes, puffing on e-cigarettes, or warming up heated tobacco devices will all be off-limits on those sunny outdoor terraces. In short, if you want to enjoy your coffee with a side of nicotine, you’ll have to find a new favorite haunt or pick a park bench instead. Bravo, Spain-outdoor fresh air might finally mean fresh air.

Jake Tapper's ‘Original Sin’ Bulldozes its Way to the Top

Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s latest political thriller hasn’t just hit the shelves-it’s bulldozed its way straight to number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Apparently, readers can’t get enough of Capitol Hill chaos, and let’s be honest, who can blame them when reality itself often reads like a page-turner? Congratulations to Tapper and Thompson, proving once again that inside-the-Beltway drama sells-at least when it’s written well.