Trump News
- πΊπΊ Trump delivered his promised primetime White House address overnight, focused on election security and again falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen
- Address included newly declassified documents alleging Chinese access to U.S. voter data and attempted 2020 influence efforts
- U.S. intelligence agencies have said no foreign power interfered with ballots or vote-counting; election experts say voting machines remain secure
- Trump repeated a debunked claim that "hundreds of thousands" of non-citizens and dead people are active on voter rolls
- πΊπΊ Trump threatened to revoke ABC's and NBC's broadcast licenses after they declined to air the speech live on their main networks; only CBS and FOX carried it in full
- Speech again tied to his push for the SAVE America Act ahead of the midterms
- Democratic Rep. Jason Crow said Thursday Trump "continues to lie, distort the truth to try to sow doubt and suppress the 2026 election"; Sen. Mark Warner called the China-interference claim "totally bogus"
- πΊπΊ Democrats and fact-checkers note U.S. intelligence agencies found no foreign interference with ballots or counting, contradicting the speech's central claim
- Critics point out Trump himself voted by mail in a 2026 Florida special election, calling the SAVE America Act push inconsistent with his own voting behavior
- Some note the "dead voters" claim has been repeatedly debunked, including by North Carolina's own election board
- πΊπΊ Democrats call the broadcast-license threat against ABC and NBC an attack on press freedom and editorial independence
- πΊπΊ Supporters say declassifying the voter-data documents delivers transparency Trump had promised for months
- Backers frame the address as validating the need for the SAVE America Act ahead of the midterms
- Some argue any foreign access to voter data, even without vote manipulation, is itself a legitimate security concern worth addressing
- Some backers argue the networks' decision not to carry a presidential address live reflects clear bias, justifying Trump's frustration
- Both sides agree the address was a significant, closely watched moment given the active Iran conflict backdrop
- Both sides agree the declassified documents will face independent scrutiny in the days ahead
- πΊπΊ Trump's overnight address focused on election security, repeating false 2020 stolen-election claims and alleging Chinese voter-data access
- U.S. intelligence has found no foreign interference with vote-counting; voting machines remain assessed as secure
- Speech tied to Trump's continued push for the SAVE America Act ahead of the midterms
Epstein Files
- Acting AG Todd Blanche held a tense meeting Jul 17 with Epstein survivors after a key GOP senator's ultimatum
- Follows VP Vance's Jul 15 admission the administration "screwed up" its communications on the files
- CNN reports survivors dispute Congressional affidavits attributed to Lesley Groff, telling CNN she lied
- DOJ told New Mexico's AG it cannot legally hand over unredacted files for the state's Zorro Ranch probe, escalating the DOJ-NM standoff
- Epstein survivors say Blanche exposed victims' identifying information while redacting perpetrators'; several call his hearing apology "just words"
- Critics say DOJ's earlier refusal to unredact, after months of court pressure, confirms it is shielding powerful individuals named in the files
- Sen. Cornyn (R) remains "uncommitted" on confirmation, citing the anti-weaponization fund and an IRS collusion finding
- Blanche defended DOJ's overall handling as "unprecedented transparency," noting roughly 6 million pages already released
- Supporters call a roughly 99% accuracy rate on a document set this large reasonable diligence, not concealment
- Backers note Blanche apologized directly to survivors during testimony, calling it a good-faith gesture
- Both sides agree Blanche's confirmation is not assured given the GOP's one-vote margin of error on Judiciary after Sen. Graham's death
- Both sides await the committee vote to see whether Blanche advances to the full Senate
- Blanche's AG confirmation hearing drew sharp criticism over Epstein files handling; he admitted ~1% of documents had errors
- Even VP Vance acknowledged the administration "screwed up" its Epstein files communications strategy this week
- Confirmation outcome uncertain given the GOP's narrow Judiciary Committee margin post-Graham
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum confirmed crews began draining the pool again Sunday/Monday, the second drainage in three months
- Trump posted Monday night that draining revealed 300-yard slashes in the pool lining, calling it damage from "Vandals"
- No evidence has been provided publicly to support the vandalism claim; experts continue to question workmanship instead
- The same no-bid contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, is handling this round of repairs; the owner declined to detail cost or timeline
- No further movement found this session
- Critics note the administration still hasn't produced evidence of the alleged 300-yard slashes
- Some point out this is the second consecutive failure of a no-bid contractor never rebid after the first collapse
- πΊπΊ Supporters take Trump's slash description as confirmation of intentional vandalism
- Backers say draining is the responsible way to inspect and fix the damage properly this time
- Both sides agree the pool has now failed and been drained twice since the original renovation
- Both sides await physical evidence or documentation to settle the vandalism-vs-workmanship question
- πΊπΊ Pool drained a second time Monday; Trump claims 300-yard slashes were found, without providing evidence
- Same no-bid contractor rehired again; cost and timeline still undisclosed
SAVE America Act / FISA
- House floor reopened Jul 14 after Rep. Luna and other holdouts shut it down demanding SAVE America ride on every must-pass bill
- Senate Majority Leader Thune says he'll move a standalone FISA 702 renewal instead of the bundled approach
- Thune's plan is contingent on Jay Clayton's DNI confirmation clearing the way for Democratic support on a clean FISA bill
- Section 702 of FISA remains lapsed since mid-June with no reauthorization deal reached; coverage notes Capitol Hill attention has shifted this week toward a "reconciliation 3.0" bill
- Democrats maintain the SAVE America Act would block eligible voters and call attaching it to must-pass bills a pressure tactic, not policy
- Critics note the NDAA itself has already stalled once this month after 13 House Republicans sank a procedural vote
- Luna and allied holdouts want SAVE America attached to "every must-pass bill," including the NDAA, reconciliation, and FISA
- Backers see Clayton's smoother path to confirmation as removing the last excuse for Senate Democrats to block a clean FISA extension
- Both sides agree FISA Section 702 remains lapsed with no clean extension yet passed
- Both sides agree Clayton's confirmation trajectory is a data point to watch this week
- Luna is pushing to attach the SAVE America Act to the NDAA in addition to the national security appropriations bill
- DNI nominee Jay Clayton's confirmation now looks likely to proceed smoothly, which could unlock movement on a clean FISA renewal
USβIran "Islamabad MOU"
- πΊπΊ Iran's Foreign Ministry has now also formally suspended its own compliance with the Islamabad MOU (Jul 13-14), accusing Washington of repeated violations, and ruled out a second round of Islamabad talks despite Pakistani/Omani/Qatari mediation
- Iranian President Pezeshkian vows Iran will "defend every inch" of its territory; Tehran has introduced a bill to regulate transit through the Strait of Hormuz
- Trump told ABC News last week he believes the MOU is "over," calling Iran's leadership "scum" and "cuckoo" after another exchange of fire
- Satellite imagery reviewed by CNN and the Institute for Science and International Security (Jul 10) showed signs Iran may be rebuilding nuclear/missile sites in apparent breach of the MOU
- The 14-point MOU had committed both sides to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US naval blockade; Iran also reaffirmed its prior no-nuclear-weapons pledge
- πΊπΊ Critics say the MOU's collapse confirms the ceasefire framework was never durable and warn of open-ended war without new congressional authorization
- Some Democratic senators call the continued strikes "a disaster" with no realistic off-ramp
- Critics note Trump's inflammatory language ("scum," "cuckoo") undercuts any remaining diplomatic track
- πΊπΊ Supporters say the satellite evidence of rebuilding justifies walking away from a deal Iran was already violating
- Backers argue continued "denuclearization" pressure is the only way to permanently prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon
- Some say declaring the MOU dead is simply Trump stating the obvious given Iran's conduct
- Both sides agree the Islamabad MOU is now effectively defunct, whatever face-saving language either side uses
- Both sides agree the region faces its most dangerous escalation since the original June signing
- πΊπΊ Iran has now formally suspended its own compliance with the Islamabad MOU and ruled out a second round of talks; Trump had already declared it "over" last week
- Both sides blame the other for the breakdown; mediators Pakistan, Oman and Qatar continue trying to revive talks
Kennedy Center
- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) published a whistleblower letter alleging bypassed contracting procedures and faulty rushed projects
- The complaint alleges columns were repainted with no written contract, later rusting through the new paint; a $4.4M contract was only signed afterward
- It also alleges newly installed bathroom tiles were ripped out because Trump "didn't like the color"
- The Center's own smaller reflecting pool is now unevenly painted and rusting after a hasty cosmetic revamp, mirroring the National Mall pool's troubles
- No further movement found this session
- Critics say the whistleblower account shows a pattern of favoritism and wasted taxpayer/donor money under Trump's board
- Some draw a direct parallel to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's troubles as evidence of a broader pattern
- Supporters note the complaint comes from a Democratic senator and question its independence
- Backers say cosmetic touch-ups are normal venue upkeep, not evidence of wrongdoing
- Both sides agree the complaint adds new detail to ongoing questions about Kennedy Center contracting under Trump's board
- Both sides await any formal investigation or board response to the specific allegations
- Whistleblower complaint alleges rushed, no-bid renovation work driven by Trump's personal preferences
- Allegations include rusting repainted columns and torn-out bathroom tile over color complaints
Supreme Court
- Court remains in summer recess following the end of the 2025-26 term; no new opinions this week
- Justices Kagan and Barrett testified July 14 on rising security threats, including a swatting incident at Barrett's home
- Speaker Johnson said the House is "looking at all angles" for a legislative fix on birthright citizenship after the term's ruling against Trump's executive order
- Rep. DeLauro used the hearing to press for an enforceable ethics/gift code matching congressional limits; Kagan said she favors an enforcement mechanism
- Critics note the court's gift-limit gap (no cap, vs. $50 for Congress/executive) remains unresolved
- Backers frame the hearing as bipartisan recognition of a genuine, escalating threat environment for judges and justices
- Supporters credit the Justices for direct, personal testimony explaining the funding need
- Both sides agree the rise in threats and swatting incidents against judges and justices is real and serious
- Both sides agree an ethics-enforcement mechanism is complicated to design without compromising judicial independence
- Kagan and Barrett testified July 14 on rising security threats, including a swatting incident at Barrett's home
- DeLauro pressed for a Congress-style gift cap; Kagan said she's open to an enforcement mechanism, calling it "hard" to design
AI Guardrails & Regulation
- Illinois Gov. Pritzker signed the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act Jul 6, joining California and New York's state-level AI safety framework
- Illinois's version adds a first-in-the-nation mandatory annual third-party audit requirement
- The FTC's proposed preemption policy statement (comment period through Jul 31) and Congress's bipartisan GAAIA discussion draft remain pending with no floor vote scheduled
- California, New York, and Illinois together now account for roughly 40% of the U.S. AI market
- Democrats and AI-safety advocates worry the preemption theory could be used to gut state-level AI safety and bias protections just as they take effect
- Critics note the FTC vote was only 2-0, with commission seats still vacant
- Advocates note bipartisan support for Illinois's SB 315 shows AI safety isn't purely a partisan issue
- Supporters say a single federal accuracy standard is preferable to a state-by-state patchwork like Colorado's
- Backers frame this as consistent with the administration's push to preempt state AI regulation via litigation and funding leverage
- Industry groups like TechNet continue to warn state-by-state rules force "highly subjective" compliance determinations
- Both sides agree AI regulation remains a fast-moving, bipartisan area at both state and federal levels
- Both sides note the comment period runs through July 31, so no final policy exists yet
- Both acknowledge California, New York, and Illinois together now cover roughly 40% of the U.S. AI market
- FTC proposed a policy statement suggesting some state AI laws forcing altered outputs may be federally preempted
- Public comments are open through July 31, 2026; Illinois's July 6 audit law remains the most recent binding state action
Strait of Hormuz
- πΊπΊ The U.S. completed a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian targets early Jul 17; Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims retaliatory strikes on US-linked bases in Syria, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan, unconfirmed by U.S. officials
- Shipping-risk executives say the Strait is "back to the worst case scenario," with crews unwilling to make the transit
- Trump has dropped his earlier proposed 20% Hormuz transit fee, instead pursuing Gulf trade and investment deals
- Iran struck three commercial tankers transiting the Strait since Monday; the US resumed strikes overnight targeting Bushehr-area sites (the Bushehr nuclear power plant itself was reported undamaged)
- Trump said the US now intends to "ultimately control" the Strait of Hormuz directly
- πΊπΊ Critics say tanker attacks and renewed strikes show the blockade strategy has failed to secure shipping lanes
- Some warn "controlling the Strait directly" is a vague, open-ended military commitment with no clear endpoint
- πΊπΊ Supporters back continued strikes until Iran halts attacks on shipping and Gulf partners
- Backers say seeking reimbursement from regional allies is a reasonable burden-sharing request given the money being spent on their behalf
- Both sides agree tanker traffic through the Strait remains at serious risk
- Both sides agree the conflict has now blown past several of Trump's own predicted end dates
- πΊπΊ U.S. struck Iran for a sixth straight night; Iran claims retaliation against regional U.S.-linked bases and shipping firms call the Strait "worst case scenario" for transit
- Trump dropped his proposed 20% Hormuz transit fee, pursuing Gulf trade/investment deals instead; still says the U.S. intends to "control" the Strait directly
Other News
Standalone breaking news that doesn't fall under any of the other 9 topics β top 2-3 heavily-covered, urgent-tier (πΊπΊ) stories only, kept as a short rolling history (~2-3 days / 2 builds back). Routine or low-profile items are left off this tab.
- Justice Amy Coney Barrett told lawmakers this week that threats targeting her and other justices, along with their families, are increasingly encroaching on their personal lives
- A U.S. marshal was fatally shot serving an arrest warrant on a fugitive in central Louisiana overnight, federal authorities said; the incident is still developing
Crime
- Gallup's Oct 2025 Crime poll found 49% of Americans call U.S. crime very/extremely serious, down from 59% two years earlier; 49% also say crime rose in the past year, the lowest reading since at least 2018
- The improvement is driven largely by Republicans, whose belief that crime is rising fell from about 90% in 2024 to just over half in 2025 now that their party holds the White House
- Six 2026 state ballot measures on bail/sentencing are on track, continuing a multi-year trend toward more punitive policy β all six move in that direction, per Ballotpedia
- Multiple academic studies (Brennan Center, 33-city analysis) find no statistically significant link between bail reform and crime rates
- Research broadly finds no causal link between undocumented immigration and higher violent crime, despite persistent public perception to the contrary
- No further movement found this session
- Democrats and researchers point to multi-city studies finding no statistically significant link between bail reform and crime rates
- Critics say GOP messaging on a "migrant crime wave" isn't supported by research; multiple studies find undocumented immigration is not associated with higher violent crime
- Some note crime perception is heavily shaped by which party holds the White House β Republicans' worry fell sharply once Trump returned to office, a pattern seen historically regardless of party
- Republicans continue pushing stricter bail laws, citing the six 2026 state ballot measures as reflecting voter demand for tougher rules
- Backers argue high-profile local incidents justify continued scrutiny of bail and sentencing policy regardless of the national trend line
- Some conservatives argue official crime statistics and national polling understate the problem, and that local, lived experience matters more
- Both sides agree crime perception nationally has improved for a second straight year per Gallup, now at the lowest level since at least 2018
- Both sides agree 2026 state ballot measures continue a multi-year trend toward more punitive bail and sentencing policy
- Both sides agree Americans still worry most about scam/identity-theft crime rather than violent crime
- Gallup: 49% call U.S. crime very/extremely serious, an 11-point improvement and the lowest reading since 2018
- Bail reform and immigration-crime linkage remain contested policy debates without clear research support for a causal crime increase
- 2026 state ballot measures continue a multi-year trend toward more punitive bail/sentencing rules
π Polls
National polling on the topics tracked above — question asked, Dem/Ind/Rep breakdown, and pollster/sample/date. All three party figures on each card come from the same poll and the same question (never mixed across separate surveys). Topics with no current national poll are listed at the bottom rather than left out, so nothing looks missing.
Worry "A Great Deal" About Crime
Trump Approval — Party Breakdown
Satisfaction With File Release
Support for Full File Release
Supreme Court Job Approval
Mandatory Government Review Before Release
Generic Congressional Ballot
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool · SAVE Act/FISA · US–Iran Islamabad MOU · Kennedy Center · Strait of Hormuz
β Trending Questions
Each tracked topic phrased as a natural search question, sorted hottest first (πΊπΊ urgent, then πΊ normal, then unchanged), with the current Bottom Line as the answer and its own timestamp. Updated every build.
What did Trump say in his primetime address?
He focused on election security, again falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen and alleging Chinese access to voter data. The White House released newly declassified documents alongside the speech; U.S. intelligence agencies maintain no foreign power interfered with vote-counting.
Is Todd Blanche going to be confirmed as Attorney General?
Unclear β his hearing concluded today with Blanche admitting "about 1%" of released Epstein documents had errors and stating Trump isn't eligible for a third term. Sen. Cornyn remains "uncommitted," and the GOP has only a one-vote margin on Judiciary after Sen. Graham's death.
Is the US-Iran Islamabad MOU still in effect?
No β Trump told ABC News he believes the MOU is "over," after satellite imagery suggested Iran may be rebuilding nuclear sites in breach of it. He left the door open to continued peace talks separate from the MOU's status.
Is the Strait of Hormuz open right now?
Contested β Iran struck three tankers transiting the Strait this week, and the US resumed strikes near Bushehr overnight. Trump says the US now intends to control the Strait directly.
What is the status of the SAVE Act and FISA renewal?
The House floor reopened Jul 14 after holdouts led by Rep. Luna shut it down over SAVE America Act demands. Senate Majority Leader Thune now plans a standalone FISA 702 renewal instead, contingent on Jay Clayton's DNI confirmation.
Are state AI laws going to be overridden by federal rules?
Possibly β the FTC has proposed a policy statement suggesting some state AI laws forcing altered outputs may be federally preempted. Public comment is open through July 31, 2026; no final policy exists yet.
Is crime rising in the United States?
No β per Gallup, just 49% of Americans call U.S. crime very/extremely serious, the lowest reading since 2018. Bail reform and immigration-crime debates continue in Congress without clear research support for a causal crime increase.
Who is favored to win the 2026 midterm elections?
Democrats hold a D+6 to D+7 lead on the generic congressional ballot and a 26-point edge among voters who dislike both parties, though several Senate and House races remain toss-ups heading into November.
Who is in the 2026 World Cup Final?
Spain and Argentina, Sunday July 19, 3 PM ET at MetLife Stadium (FOX). Post Malone headlines the closing ceremony; the halftime show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, features Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber. England plays France for third place July 18.
What is the latest on the Epstein files release?
Acting AG Todd Blanche held a tense meeting with Epstein survivors Jul 17 after a key GOP senator's ultimatum, following VP Vance's Jul 15 admission the administration "screwed up" its files communications. CNN reports survivors dispute affidavits attributed to Lesley Groff.
Why was the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool drained again?
Crews drained the pool a second time in three months; Trump claims 300-yard "slashes" were found, without providing evidence. The same never-rebid contractor remains on the job.
What's happening with the Kennedy Center renovation?
A whistleblower complaint alleges rushed, no-bid renovation work driven by Trump's personal preferences, including rusting repainted columns and torn-out bathroom tile over color complaints.
What is Congress doing about birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court ruling?
Rep. McGuire introduced the Birthright Citizenship Clarification Act on July 10, aiming to codify limits on jus soli citizenship legislatively, following Justice Kavanaugh's suggestion that Congress β not the executive branch β set such limits.
Final Set β Spain vs Argentina
As of Jul 17, 2026, 10:02 AM ET β Final: Spain vs Argentina, Sunday Jul 19, 3:00 PM ET at MetLife Stadium (FOX). Third-place match: England vs France, Saturday Jul 18, 5:00 PM ET in Miami. Post Malone headlines the closing ceremony; halftime show curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin features Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber.
β Major Updates β World Cup
Big, headline-level World Cup news (rulings, reinstatements, controversies, upsets) β found via web search at build time, kept as a short rolling history (~2-3 days / 2 builds back) so nothing gets missed. Separate from the routine match-by-match results on the other tabs.
Post Malone headlines the closing ceremony (announced Jul 15); the halftime show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, features Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber, plus a Muppets appearance. Jennifer Hudson sings the pregame U.S. national anthem. This is the tab's final scheduled update before it is retired after the Jul 19 final.
Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute, but Argentina struck twice in the final minutes β Enzo FernΓ‘ndez in the 85th and Lautaro MartΓnez in stoppage time, both assisted by Lionel Messi β to win 2-1 in Atlanta. Argentina advances to face Spain in Sunday's Final (Jul 19, MetLife Stadium); England plays France in Saturday's third-place match (Jul 18, Miami).
Spain booked its place in Sunday's final with a commanding 2-0 semifinal win over France on Tuesday in Dallas.
France (No. 1 FIFA ranking) faced Spain (No. 3) in the tournament's first semifinal. This was the first World Cup ever with all four pre-tournament top-4-ranked teams reaching the semifinals.
Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Dan Ndoye equalized for 10-man Switzerland (Breel Embolo sent off in the 72nd minute) to force extra time. JuliΓ‘n Γlvarez struck a 112th-minute golazo and Lautaro MartΓnez added a late goal for a 3-1 win, extending Argentina's unbeaten World Cup run to 12 matches.
Final Group Standings
Top 2 of each group + 8 best 3rd-place teams advanced to the Round of 32 (highlighted).
Full Tournament Schedule
Complete schedule, group stage through the Final. Green rows = played/final. * = Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (your nearest venue). All times Eastern.
Knockout Bracket
Argentina rallied past England 2-1 (Jul 15, Atlanta) to join Spain, who beat France 2-0 (Jul 14, Dallas), in Sunday's Final at MetLife Stadium. England plays France in Saturday's third-place match. Scroll sideways to follow the lines all the way across.
| Round | Dates | Matches | Key Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | Jul 4–Jul 7 | 8 | Across host cities |
| Quarterfinals | Jul 9–Jul 11 | 4 | Boston, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami |
| Semifinals | Jul 14–Jul 15 | 2 | Dallas, Atlanta |
| Third-place game | Jul 18 | 1 | Miami Gardens * |
| FINAL | Jul 19 | 1 | NY/NJ (MetLife Stadium) |
Division Standings
As of Jul 15, 2026 (all games final). Top 3 per league make the 12-team playoff field: 3 division winners + 3 Wild Cards.
Schedule
Recent results shown in green, upcoming games and key dates in white. As of Jul 17, 2026.
Player Leaders
As of Jul 17, 2026. Sourced from CBS Sports/MLB.com official stat leaderboards (qualified players).
Complete Roster
Only top 15 notable players show in this roster — search a player name above to jump to their team here.
❗ MLB Headlines
Big, headline-level MLB news (trade deadline moves, division shakeups, milestones) — found via web search at build time, kept as a short rolling history (~2-3 days / 2 builds back).
Key Upcoming Dates
As of Jul 17, 2026, 10:02 AM ET — Senate: 53R–47D (incl. 2 Ind. caucusing D), plus 1 vacancy filled on an interim basis (SC, Sen. Graham died Jul 11); Democrats need a net +4 to win the majority (a 50-50 tie is broken by VP Vance). House: 218R–214D with 3 vacancies; Democrats need a net +3. Generic ballot now D+5 to D+6.2, widest of the cycle. Sorted soonest-first.
Senate Battleground Ratings
Consensus ratings from Cook Political Report / NPR / RealClearPolling as of early-to-mid July 2026. Each race gets a small lean gauge (same style as the Viewpoints Bias Meter) — needle left = leans Democrat, center = toss-up, right = leans Republican.
Generic Congressional Ballot
National House indicator — averages across major trackers.
Primary Calendar
Completed primary results plus remaining key dates through Election Day. All dates Eastern where applicable.
π© Green row = completed/decided · white row = still pending
β Major Updates — Midterms
Big, headline-level midterm news (withdrawals, primary upsets, rating changes) — found via web search at build time, kept as a short rolling history (~2-3 days / 2 builds back).