April 29, 2026

U.S., ISRAEL, IRAN WAR | Day 61.

• The price of international benchmark Brent crude oil rose more than 3% to $114.76 a barrel early today following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iranian shipping and ports. [more]
• Amidst oil and gas issues linked to the Middle East war, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned today that E.U. nations risk wasting billions of euros if energy aid is not effectively funneled to vulnerable households and industries. Reports note that increased energy costs associated with the war are estimated to cost the E.U. as much as 500 million euros per day. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,523 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Reports say Ukrainian airstrikes this week damaged a Russian oil refinery on the Black Sea for the third time this month, prompting local evacuations and a warning by Russian officials of potential "environmental consequences." [more]
• The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said yesterday that its forces shot down or intercepted more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March – a record monthly level since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago. [more]

U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT | The Justice Department announced the federal criminal indictment yesterday of former FBI Director James Comey on charges of making threats to harm President Donald Trump by posting an image on social media in May 2025 that showed seashells depicting the numbers "86 47". The indictment claims that Comey's Instagram post was one "which a reasonable recipient who is familiar with the circumstances would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to do harm to a person." [press release] [full indictment] [more]

U.S. DHS FUNDING | The House is expected to vote as early as today on a Senate budget resolution passed last week that would advance efforts to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security, which has been partially shut down for more than two months amidst Democratic demands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol reforms. [more]

U.S. INTEREST RATES | The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at about 3.6% today as the monetary policy board meets in what is likely to be the last meeting headed by Fed chair Jerome Powell. [more]

U.S. IMMIGRATION | The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments today in a Trump administration challenge of lower court rulings that blocked the ending of temporary protected immigration status for migrants fleeing war and natural disasters in Haiti and Syria. [more]

MORE U.S. IMMIGRATION | Contrasting with rulings by the 8th and 5th circuit courts, a panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, citing "serious constitutional questions," ruled yesterday that the Trump administration cannot deny detained immigrants the chance to seek bond. Analysts note that the Department of Homeland Security has suggested it will appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. [more]

U.S. MEDIA | Following criticism of a joke by late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel in which he said last week that first lady Melania Trump had "a glow like an expectant widow," the US Federal Communications Commission has announced plans to review the broadcast licenses of Disney-owned ABC television stations, which carry Kimmel's show. [more]

U.S. PASSPORTS | The State Department confirmed yesterday that it plans to issue between 25,000 and 30,000 commemorative U.S. passports that feature an image of President Donald Trump as part of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the ​U.S. Declaration of Independence. Reports note that the commemorative passports will only be available to in-person applicants at the Washington, DC, passport office and that standard passports without the president's image will still be issued to those applying online or at other passport offices across the country. [more]

U.S. AND U.K. | Following yesterday's address to Congress and attendance at a White House state dinner, Britain's King Charles III continues his visit to the U.S. today with a trip to New York City, where he will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and meet with Mayor Zohran Mamdani. [more]

U.S. AND CUBA | The U.S. Senate voted, 51-47, yesterday to reject a measure that would have required President Donald Trump to end the U.S. energy blockade on Cuba and to seek Congressional approval before launching any military action against the Caribbean island nation. [more]

E.U. VIOLENCE-FOR-HIRE | European Union police agency Europol said today that an international task force formed to crack down on violence as a criminal service led to 280 arrests in its first year and warned that a Europe-wide trend of criminals hiring people to carry out acts of violence appears to be rising. [more]

KOSOVO | Having failed to elect a new president by a midnight Tuesday deadline, Kosovo's parliament has been dissolved, meaning that the southeastern European country will hold its third parliamentary election in just over a year at some point in the next 45 days. [more]

PHILIPPINES | Philippine lawmakers found probable cause today to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte following accusations that she misused public funds and threatened the life of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, his wife, and his cousin. An initial House vote to advance to an impeachment trial against Duterte is expected to take place when Congress resumes session next month. [more]

U.K. | In the latest incident in a surge of antisemitic incidents in the U.K., authorities say at least two men were stabbed today in a Jewish neighborhood in London. A 45-year-old man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with stabbings. [more]

EUROPEAN SOCIAL MEDIA | European Union regulators accused tech giant Meta today of failing to adequately prevent underage users from accessing its Facebook and Instagram platforms in violation of the bloc's sweeping Digital Services Act regulations. [more]

SOCCER | International soccer governing body FIFA said yesterday that it will increase payments to each team participating in this summer's men's World Cup by $2 million to help offset higher-than-expected costs in North America. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1429, French national heroine Joan of Arc and her troops entered the besieged city of Orléans during the Hundred Years' War. [more history]