Listen to this issue.

0:00

/8:07

1×

U.S., ISRAEL, IRAN WAR | Day 82.

• In a statement carried on state media, Iran's Revolutionary Guard said today that it would extend the war beyond the Persian Gulf region if the U.S. resumes hostilities against Iran. [more]
• Despite a tenuous U.S.-brokered cease-fire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on suspected Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon yesterday, killing at least 19 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,544 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• Amidst global concerns over oil and fuel supplies linked to the Middle East war, the U.K. yesterday temporarily eased Ukraine-related sanctions on Russian oil, announcing that it would permit the import of Russian oil that has been refined into jet fuel and diesel in third countries "for a time limited period." [more]

TRUMP INVESTIGATIONS | According to a document posted on the U.S. Justice Department's website yesterday, the settlement of President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns now includes a guarantee that the IRS will not pursue any investigations into current or past tax issues related to Trump or his relatives or companies. This new settlement measure is in addition to the $1.776 billion compensation fund announced previously. [more]

U.S. WAR POWERS | The Senate voted, 50-47, yesterday to advance legislation that would require President Donald Trump to gain congressional approval for continued military action in Iran or withdraw U.S. troops from the conflict. Reports note that multiple similar measures failed in the Senate previously, and that the outcome of a pending final Senate vote on the war powers resolution remains unclear. [more]

U.S. BANKING AND IMMIGRATION | In an executive order signed yesterday, President Donald Trump, citing potential credit and financial system risks, directed U.S. banks to more closely examine the citizenship and legal status of people opening accounts or obtaining loans or credit cards. [full executive order] [more]

CALIFORNIA | The Sandy Fire in southern California's Ventura County has burned more than 1,600 acres and is considered about 5% contained as of this morning. Reports note that some 17,000 residents of the area – mainly in the city of Simi Valley – are under evacuation orders and warnings due to the fire. [CalFire website] [more]

CONNECTICUT | In a new lawsuit filed against Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong, the U.S. Department of Justice, citing the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, argues that a state law prohibiting federal agents from wearing masks and requiring them to display identification while operating in the state is unconstitutional. [more]

U.S. AND NATO | Reuters cites unnamed sources as saying the United States intends to inform NATO allies this week that it plans to reduce the level of U.S. military assets available to assist alliance members during crisis or war. [more]

U.S. AND CUBA | In a video message addressed to the Cuban people, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said today that the Trump administration is prepared to forge a new relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, and proposed $100 million in U.S. aid to help the Caribbean island nation alleviate power, food, and fuel shortages. Reports also note that the U.S. is widely expected to announce criminal charges against former Cuban President Raul Castro later today. [more]

GLOBAL ECONOMY | The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs yesterday predicted a 2.5% growth rate in global gross domestic product for 2026 – down from its previous forecast of 2.7%. Inflation, according to the agency, is projected to rise in developed countries from 2.6% in 2025 to 2.9% in 2026, while developing countries' inflation is forecast to accelerate from 4.2% to 5.2%. [full report] [more]

EBOLA | World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said today that while the WHO expects the ongoing Ebola outbreak in central Africa – mainly in Congo and Uganda – to keep growing, the risk of global spread is considered to be low. [more]

RUSSIA AND CHINA | According to Chinese state media, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed today to extend a friendship treaty between their countries first signed in 2001. Meetings between the two leaders in Beijing are expected to focus on energy supplies and security issues. [more]

LITHUANIA | Residents of the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius were told to take shelter, and the country's top officials were evacuated to secure locations, this morning after drone activity was detected near the country's border with Belarus. Reports note that no drones were detected in Lithuanian airspace but cite officials as having suggested that Russia was "deliberately redirecting Ukrainian drones into Baltic airspace" using electronic jamming. [more]

CHINA | State media reports that at least 12 people have died in flooding brought on by torrential rains in central and southwestern China this week. The floods have also prompted the evacuation of more than 19,000 people, according to officials. [more]

SOUTH KOREA | After labor negotiations failed to result in an agreement, the union representing some 70,000 Samsung Electronics employees in South Korea say workers will begin an 18-day strike tomorrow over pay issues. Reports note that a prolonged strike could impact global semiconductor supplies and the country’s trade-dependent economy, and cite government officials as saying they could invoke rarely used emergency powers to force a settlement. [more]

INDONESIA | President Prabowo Subianto announced plans yesterday for Indonesia to tighten government control over the export of key commodities such as thermal coal, palm oil, and critical minerals. Subianto said his country has lost as much as $908 billion due to export undervaluation and underreporting and that, moving forward, key commodity exports will be managed by state-owned companies. [more]

SOCCER | With yesterday's 1-1 tie between Manchester City and Bournemouth, Arsenal clinched its first English Premier League soccer championship since 2004. [more]

LITERATURE AWARDS | "Taiwan Travelogue" by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated by Lin King, has been named the winner of the 2026 International Booker Prize, becoming the first book translated from Mandarin Chinese to win the award. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1902, Cuba gained its independence from the United States, which had taken control of the island in 1899 after defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War. [more history]