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MS NOW Tells Mediaite It ‘Stands By Its Reporting’ After Trump WH Launches Savage Attack on Journo Over Air Force One Report

By News Here - 13:07

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

An MS NOW spokesperson told Mediaite the network “stands by its reporting,” after White House communications director Steven Cheung savaged journalist Carol Leonnig over her story on President Donald Trump’s new Qatari-gifted airplane.

Leonnig posted to X on Wednesday, “Trump had to switch to his old AF1 when flying from Turkey to UK — because the gifted jet he insists is great didn’t have the defensive capabilities needed for safe travel amid Iran hostilities.”

Leonnig included a link to her story that reported, “President Donald Trump swapped out his new Qatari-gifted Air Force One for his flight from the NATO summit to the United Kingdom over concerns that the gifted aircraft lacks the secure communications systems and military defenses needed to safely manage a rapidly escalating conflict with Iran, according to two former national security officials familiar with the matter.”

The article included a statement from Cheung: “The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff. As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal— including distraction and misdirection— to address those threats.”

Cheung jumped on the report Thursday, writing, “Carol Leonnig is a liar and this article is complete Fake News. She has no idea what she is talking about. She says the White House declined to comment. Not true. We gave comment to the New York Times and many other outlets.”

“Carol is not a real journalist. A complete fraud,” Cheung added.

Carol Leonnig is a liar and this article is complete Fake News. She has no idea what she is talking about. She says the White House declined to comment. Not true. We gave comment to the New York Times and many other outlets.

Carol is not a real journalist. A complete fraud. https://t.co/gIFl0IHaAs

— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) July 9, 2026

It was unclear what Cheung’s beef was with the MS NOW story, since both it and The New York Times story Cheung cited included the same facts, as well as his statement.

Leonnig wrote that “Neither the Secret Service, nor Boeing responded to requests for comment.” She did not say, “the White House declined to comment,” as Cheung accused the outlet.

The post MS NOW Tells Mediaite It ‘Stands By Its Reporting’ After Trump WH Launches Savage Attack on Journo Over Air Force One Report first appeared on Mediaite.

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Lifehacker

Beeswax Is a Wordle-Like Game for Anyone Who Misses Spelling Bees

By News Here - 12:54

I love a short daily word game, but Wordle isn't always enough to scratch that itch. I've had my share of fun with other letter-based guessing games and my new love Minute Cryptic, and I recently discovered Beeswax, a game that gives you five words to spell each day. It's like the spelling bees kids do: You listen to somebody say the word, and then you have to spell it correctly. One mistake, and you're out for the day.

How to play Beeswax

Note that Beeswax has nothing to do with the game Spelling Bee, a New York Times game that is bee-themed but involves manipulating written letters. Beeswax replicates the format of an actual in-person spelling bee. You click a button to hear the word (or to replay it if needed). If you're stuck, you can use hints.

The hints don't impact whether you win or lose, but the shareable text you get at the end will make a note of how many hints you used. The hints are, as in a spelling bee, all spoken as well. You can ask for a definition, a sentence using the word, the word's part of speech, or (my favorite when I'm stuck) the word's language of origin.

If you misspell a word, the game is over. The correct spelling is available on the "game over" screen, but it's hidden like spoiler text, in case you want to ponder your mistakes before revealing the answer. I've played several games, and so far I've missed two words: one that I thought I knew but must have been misspelling all this time, and one that was a new word to me. I can't say I'm disappointed: I've learned a new word.

How to win Beeswax

This is where I'd normally share some hints and tips, but the truth is: You just have to know how to spell the word, or be able to plausibly guess. The tips that apply to spelling bees in general are good ones here. The best tip is just to read more, so you get used to seeing more words. It's also helpful to become a nerd about etymology, constantly looking up words to see where they come from and why they're like that. (You'll start to recognize roots, prefixes, suffixes, and get a sense of how words of different language origins tend to be spelled.) This is more of a lifelong hobby than a strategy for a game, so, uh, good luck.

Personally, I find the language of origin the most helpful type of hint, but I've only played a handful of games so far (and never actually got to compete in a spelling bee as a child), so I can't promise that will always be the most helpful. The 12-year-old winner of the 2017 National Spelling Bee shared some tips with Lifehacker after her win, and she also recommended paying attention to word origins, so perhaps it's a good strategy after all.

Each word comes with a two-minute timer, so you can't think about it forever. That's plenty of time to simply look up the word yourself, of course. And paradoxically, that's what makes the game cheat-proof: After all, "go look up this word" isn't a fun game, and so there's no temptation to cheat. You also don't have to worry about running out of play time: Beeswax makes its entire archive available, even if you don't have an account. Free accounts give you the ability to keep a streak and to show up on the leaderboard.

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Mediaite

Onetime Partner of Accused Charlie Kirk Killer Says He Confessed to Murder in Person: ‘Started Crying a Bit’

By News Here - 12:07

Luna Twiggs, the onetime romantic partner of accused Charlie Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson, said Robinson confessed in person to the killing and “started crying a bit.” Twiggs’ previously recorded comments were played in the courtroom during day four of Robinson’s preliminary hearing.

(NPR Utah reported last month that defense records indicate Twiggs’ name at birth was Lance, but her chosen name is Luna and she uses she/her pronouns. The state’s Fourth District Court Judge Tony Graf has referred to Twiggs by her birth name and with she/her pronouns.)

Fox News broadcast the moment the recording was played live.

Kirk was shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking in Utah. Twiggs, who has since moved out of state, spoke to officers in April of this year. It is unclear if the pair are still in a relationship.

Twiggs told officers she saw Robinson on September 11. “He was up and around doing a lot of stuff around the house,” she said. “And then I think I saw him after that message where I said … I was doing laundry. I didn’t want him going to my parents’ house right then, when he said there was probably cops outside. I went back home. It was just him there, and I said bye to him, and he drove off. I just went back to my parents’ house.”

Twiggs added Robinson was “walking around a lot.”

When asked if Robinson spoke about Kirk’s shooting, Twiggs added, “[He] didn’t go into detail. I asked him in person if what he said was true the night before and he said it was. He started crying a little bit, and said he wishes he hadn’t done it it. And then kept going around, just doing stuff, I think to keep himself busy or distracted or something.”

Robinson “eventually said he would talk to his parents or turn himself over,” Twiggs also said.

NPR Utah also reported the defense wanted to subpoena Twiggs and have her testify in person, but prosecutors successfully argued in-person testimony was not necessary at this stage.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Onetime Partner of Accused Charlie Kirk Killer Says He Confessed to Murder in Person: ‘Started Crying a Bit’ first appeared on Mediaite.

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Lifehacker

The Premium Sonos Ace Headphones Are $120 Off Right Now

By News Here - 12:54

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Lifehacker

10 Shows Like 'Off Campus' You Should Watch Next

By News Here - 11:54

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If TV can tell us anything, it's that sex and hockey are a winning combination—first with the steamy drama of Heated Rivalry, and more recently in the streaming smash Off Campus, an adaptation of the sports romance novels by Elle Kennedy. The latter stars Ella Bright as Hannah Wells, a music student who has a meet-cute with Boston Bruin-in-waiting Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) when she accidentally walks in on him naked in the gym showers. He needs a tutor, she needs to make the guy she has a crush on jealous...you get the picture. Off Campus is streaming on Prime Video, and once you've binged it, you can catch these other tales of young, horny, and occasionally athletic love.

The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021 – 2025)

Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) is an endlessly naïve scholarship student; Bela (Amrit Kaur) is an aspiring comedy writer on the make for the hottest guys; Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott) is an overachieving athlete and senator’s daughter; and Leighton (Reneé Rapp) is a closeted sorority girl. They're all randomly assigned to room together as freshmen at the fictional Essex College in Vermont. Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, this comedy-drama isn't nearly as salacious as its title suggests. There's sex for sure, but like Sex and the City before it, it's a funny, queer-friendly show that's a little less about one overarching romance than it is about growing up, and the value of female friendship. Stream The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO Max.

The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021 – 2025)

at HBO Max

Maxton Hall (2024 – )

A bit more soapy than the frothier Off Campus, this is a thoroughly addictive campus romance all the same, the German import being Prime Video's top non-American series launch ever. Damian Hardung is James Beaufort, wealthy heir to his family's fashion line, star athlete, and imposingly muscular physical specimen. Harriet Herbig-Matten is Ruby Bell, a scholarship student at the elite Maxton Hall, and one who doesn't mind being invisible—the rich snobs don't interest her, and she's more interested in keeping her top marks. Ruby stumbles onto a secret involving James' sister, which she also doesn't care about, except that James pisses her off by trying to buy her silence. The situation escalates until they're forced to work together and, if you can't see where this is going, you're watching the wrong genre of show. Stream Maxton Hall on Prime Video.

Maxton Hall (2024 – )

at Prime Video

Heartbreak High (2022 – 2026)

There’s a lot of backstory here that you don’t really need to know to enjoy the show, but in brief, Heartbreak High is a sorta soft-reboot of a popular, long-running 1990s Australian show, which was itself a spin-off from a 1993 movie. It's a solid blend of teen drama (sealing with issues related to gender identity, race, and teen sexuality) and comedy (the main characters are corralled into the Sexual Literacy Tutorial, with the unfortunate acronym SLT). It all starts with Amelie and Harper, two students at a diverse Sydney high school, who set off a firestorm when they create a detailed map of the sexual exploits of the student body. Stream Heartbreak High on Netflix.

Heartbreak High (2022 – 2026)

at Netflix

Nevertheless (2021)

A complicated, messy relationship sits at the center of this addictive, if also slightly messy, South Korean miniseries. Art student Na-bi (Han So-hee) is coming off a borderline abusive relationship and no longer believes in love, which is not to say that she's entirely lost interest in sex. Convenient, then, that she meets flirty fellow student Jae-eon (Song Kang), similarly disinterested in anything long-term—at least initially. With impressive chemistry between the leads and a strong supporting cast of characters with their own issues, the show solidly depicts a modern situationship that slowly turns romantic despite its leads' best intentions. Stream Nevertheless on Netflix.

Nevertheless (2021)

at Netflix

Overcompensating (2025 – )

Comedian Benito Skinner plays himself, kinda, in this buzzy comedy that sees a former high school jock facing his freshman year in college while desperately trying to convince himself and everyone else that he's as straight as they come (relatable, except for the jock part). Much of the appeal is in its deft blending of tones: It's both a frequently raunchy college comedy, and a sweet coming-of-age story about accepting yourself without worrying about what everyone else thinks. The cast includes Adam DiMarco (The White Lotus) and Rish Shah (Ms. Marvel), and there's a romantic component, even if the emphasis is more on what not to do when it comes to young love. Stream Overcompensating on Prime Video.

Overcompensating (2025 – )

at Prime Video

Normal People (2020)

Heavier than Off Campus but no less romantic, this one is based on Sally Rooney's bestselling novel about the appropriately steamy coming-of-age romance between Marianne (Daisy Edgar Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal), two characters (and actors) with impressive chemistry. She's rich but lonely, he's popular but the son of the housekeeper. As time goes on and their roles start to shift, life and love only grow more complicated. The plot isn't groundbreaking, but there's an uncommon intelligence here, as well as a frankness about sex and sexual violence that sets it apart. Stream Normal People on Hulu.

Normal People (2020)

at Hulu

Boarders (2024 – 2026)

While not exclusively a romantic drama (though several do bubble up), this British import features a scholastic setting and a talented cast of young stars-in-waiting (including leads Josh Tedeku and Jodie Campbell). At the (fictional) prestigious boarding school St. Gilbert’s, five Black teens are newly attending on scholarships, but their integration into the existing cliques is less than smooth—especially given that they're there largely as a PR stunt on the school's behalf. Boarders blends teen romance, coming-of-age drama, and a delightful willingness to take the piss when it comes to the whole "rich private school" thing. Stream Boarders on Tubi.

Boarders (2024 – 2026)

The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022 – 2025)

Adapted from the trilogy of YA bestsellers by Jenny Han, this series focuses on the coming-of-age of teenager Belly Conklin (Lola Tung), who is 16 as the series starts. Belly and her family spend every summer at Cousins Beach with the Fisher family, a tradition that's all well and good until she starts to develop a romantic attraction for first one Fisher brother (Christopher Briney), then the other (Gavin Casalegno), planting the seeds for a love triangle that unfolds over the course of several summers, and that sees Belly grow into young adulthood to a soundtrack made up largely of Taylor Swift tunes. The three-season run is over, but there's a continuation movie on the way. Stream The Summer I Turned Pretty on Prime Video.

The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022 – 2025)

at Prime Video

Heated Rivalry (2025 – )

Obviously I need to mention the other steamy hockey romance. Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) are professional ice hockey players who compete on rival fictional teams, the Montreal Metros and the Boston Raiders. Even as their public relationship remains contentious over a period of years, the two develop a casual (at least at first) sexual relationship that grows increasingly sweaty, ice notwithstanding. The book series on which Off Campus is based has been around for a while, but Heated Rivalry set off a wave of interest in sports-related romances (because the takeaway from the show's success was apparently "people like hockey"), so it's not hard to draw a line between the two. (If you want to narrow your recommendations to more shows like Heated Rivalry, we've got a list for that too—along with the books, movies, and video games to explore next.) Stream Heated Rivalry on HBO Max.

Heated Rivalry (2025 – )

at HBO Max

Forever (2025 – )

Who does teen drama better than Judy Blume? This adaptation of her widely censored 1975 novel updates the setting to current-ish day Los Angeles, and expands the novel's exploration of the complexities of teen love and sex to include the challenges of being young, exceptional, and Black in 2020s America. Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone) attends a predominantly Black private school and is working toward a track scholarship at Howard, while Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper Jr.) goes to school with white kids and is on his parents' track to go to Northeastern, ideally on a basketball scholarship. The smart show follows their budding romance in a way that feels real and compelling. Stream Forever on Netflix.

Forever (2025 – )

at Netflix