Newsweek is reporting that the Republican National Committee's convention in Dallas, Texas, is designed as a controlled exposure to Donald Trump to address political damage attributed to him. It said the GOP is holding its first-ever midterm election party convention at the American Airlines Center amid concerns Republican candidates could face significant defeats in November, despite Trump having carried Texas by 14 points in 2024. Newsweek characterized this strategy as a political equivalent to using antivenom, where a controlled dose of the 'poison' is used to cure its effects. It also noted that oil prices above $100 per barrel present an awkward political misalignment for Trump ahead of the midterms, as a problem created in weeks requires solutions that take months. Newsweek also reported that Hunter Biden is turning a political challenge into merchandise, following a historical trend of public figures monetizing their infamy. Separately, Newsweek highlighted that Osama bin Laden orchestrated the assassination of his Taliban rival, Massoud, as a favor to his hosts. It also said Russia developed a warning app for civilians regarding drones but then blocked its use, illustrating how Russian citizens are bearing costs for what it calls Putin's 'special military operation.'
