US Lifts Strait of Hormuz Blockade as Iran-US Ceasefire Agreement Takes Effect
The United States has lifted its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following a signed memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, opening a 60-day window for a final agreement. Iran's supreme leader publicly distanced himself from the deal while blessing it.The United States has lifted its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, allowing commercial shipping to resume through the strategic waterway for the first time since the US-Iran conflict began. The move followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with Pakistan's prime minister also signing as a party. The agreement initiates a 60-day negotiating period aimed at producing a final deal covering Iran's nuclear program and broader regional security arrangements. Under the preliminary terms, the US is providing immediate relief on some oil sanctions, while key nuclear questions are deferred to the next phase of talks. Iran's supreme leader publicly said he disagreed with the deal and that Trump signed it out of desperation, though he nonetheless gave it his blessing — a position that reflects the internal divisions within Tehran's leadership. Iran's parliament speaker, a key negotiator, separately warned that Tehran would not honor its commitments if Washington failed to uphold its side. Israel, which was not party to the agreement, has continued military operations in Lebanon, and Vice President Vance issued a pointed warning to Israeli critics of the deal not to alienate the United States. European governments and other international observers are watching closely to see whether the 60-day framework produces a durable settlement. The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply, and its reopening is expected to have immediate effects on global energy markets. Analysts differ on the durability of the arrangement, with some noting that the Iranian regime has survived the conflict and, in some respects, emerged with greater internal cohesion.
Vance Warns Israel Not to Alienate US as Fighting Continues Despite Iran-US Agreement
Vice President Vance issued a direct warning to Israeli critics of the US-Iran agreement, urging them not to alienate Washington, as Israeli strikes in Lebanon continued despite the newly signed ceasefire framework.Following the signing of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, Vice President JD Vance publicly rebuked Israeli critics of the deal, warning that Israel should not alienate its most important ally. The statement reflected mounting friction between Washington and Jerusalem over the terms of the preliminary agreement. Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon continued on Thursday, with Lebanese state media reporting three deaths, despite the agreement calling for a complete ceasefire across all fronts including Lebanon and Hezbollah. Hezbollah confirmed its fighters were engaged in fresh clashes with Israeli forces. Iran has separately announced plans to introduce maritime fees in the Strait of Hormuz within two months, framing the strait as being under its sovereign jurisdiction — a claim that is likely to be a point of contention in the 60-day negotiations ahead. Europe is watching the process carefully, with the durability of any final agreement dependent on resolving core disputes over Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief, and regional military activity. The preliminary deal has drawn criticism from some Republican foreign policy figures who argue it grants Iran immediate benefits while leaving the most consequential issues unresolved.
Ukraine Launches Large-Scale Drone Strike on Moscow, Hitting Oil Refinery
Ukraine struck Moscow with approximately 200 drones in one of the largest attacks on the Russian capital since the war began, setting an oil refinery ablaze and briefly shutting down the city's airports.Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Moscow early Thursday, with nearly 200 drones striking targets including a major oil refinery in the southeastern part of the city. Fires at the refinery sent large columns of black smoke over the Russian capital for hours, and a shopping center nearby also caught fire. Moscow's airports were closed for several hours, disrupting civilian air traffic. Residents in affected areas reported soot falling from the sky. The refinery struck is described as a significant supplier of fuel to the Moscow market. Ukrainian officials have framed the escalating campaign as an effort to demonstrate the costs of the war to Russian civilians and decision-makers. The attack is among the largest Ukraine has conducted on Russian territory since the full-scale invasion began more than four years ago, and comes as Ukraine has steadily developed longer-range drone capabilities. Russia's air defenses intercepted a portion of the drones, though a significant number reached their targets. The attack has no confirmed connection to the ongoing US-Iran ceasefire negotiations, though it underscores the continued intensity of the broader European security crisis.
Hegseth Questions NATO Commitments and Says US Will Review European Military Presence
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth renewed criticism of NATO and said the United States will conduct a review of its military presence in Europe, following a decision to scale back commitments to a high-readiness NATO force.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has again publicly questioned the value and structure of the NATO alliance and announced that the United States will review the scale of its military presence in Europe. The statement follows a US decision to reduce its commitments to a NATO high-readiness force, a unit designed to respond rapidly to threats on the alliance's eastern flank. Hegseth's remarks come at a sensitive moment, as European NATO members are already navigating uncertainty over long-term American security commitments while simultaneously increasing their own defense spending. The review raises questions about the future posture of US forces in Germany, Poland, and other front-line states. European governments have not publicly responded in detail, but the development will likely factor into ongoing discussions about European strategic autonomy and defense investment. Finland separately announced a parliamentary vote to lift its decades-old ban on nuclear weapons on its territory, a move framed as alignment with NATO deterrence doctrine.
Finland's Parliament Votes to Allow Nuclear Weapons on Its Territory for First Time
Finland's parliament voted to lift a longstanding ban on nuclear weapons on Finnish soil, a shift the government framed as aligning the country more closely with NATO collective deterrence policy.Finland's parliament has voted to remove a decades-old prohibition on nuclear weapons being stationed on Finnish territory. The decision marks a significant shift in Finnish defense policy, which had long maintained a non-nuclear stance even after the country joined NATO in 2023. Finnish officials framed the vote as a step toward full integration with NATO's deterrence framework, under which nuclear-capable alliance members can coordinate extended deterrence arrangements. The change does not mean Finland will acquire or produce nuclear weapons, but it removes the legal barrier to hosting allied nuclear assets. The vote reflects a broader pattern across Nordic and Eastern European NATO members of hardening defense postures in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and uncertainty about long-term US commitments to the alliance.
Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady, Releases Updated Economic Projections
The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged following its June meeting and released updated economic projections from the Federal Open Market Committee.The Federal Reserve concluded its June 16–17 meeting and issued a statement holding its benchmark interest rate at current levels. The Federal Open Market Committee also released updated economic projections, which will be watched closely for signals about the trajectory of future rate decisions. The Fed has maintained a cautious stance as it monitors inflation trends, labor market conditions, and evolving global economic uncertainty, including the potential effects of US-Iran developments on energy prices. No rate cut was announced at this meeting. Markets and analysts will parse the projections for any change in the committee's outlook on the number and timing of rate adjustments expected for the remainder of the year.
Education Department Offers Student Loan Borrowers Interest Rate Reduction for Auto Pay Enrollment
The Department of Education will reduce interest rates by up to one percentage point for two years for federal student loan borrowers who enroll in automatic payment, citing high default rates as federal student loan debt approaches $2 trillion.The Department of Education announced it will lower interest rates by up to one percentage point for a two-year period for federal student loan borrowers who sign up for automatic payment. The administration said the incentive is designed to encourage repayment as default rates remain elevated. Federal student loan debt has grown to nearly $2 trillion in total. The auto pay discount is a time-limited measure intended to jumpstart repayment activity across the federal loan portfolio. Borrowers who do not enroll in automatic payment will not receive the rate reduction. The announcement does not alter the underlying loan balances or broader repayment plan structures that have been the subject of ongoing legal and policy disputes.
Supreme Court Rules Federal Law Barring Marijuana Users from Owning Guns Is Unconstitutionally Vague
The Supreme Court ruled that the federal statute used to prosecute a marijuana user for possessing a firearm violated the Second Amendment and is unconstitutionally vague, siding with the defendant in the case.The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Texas man who argued that a federal law prohibiting drug users from possessing firearms was unconstitutional as applied to him. The court found that the statute, which makes it a federal crime for an unlawful drug user to own a gun, is unconstitutionally vague and violates the Second Amendment in the context of marijuana use. The ruling does not broadly legalize marijuana or firearms possession for all drug users, but it narrows the government's ability to prosecute marijuana users under this particular statute. The decision adds to a line of Second Amendment rulings from the court that have placed increasing limits on gun-related restrictions. The case had been closely watched by legal scholars, gun rights advocates, and marijuana policy groups. It is distinct from questions about state-level marijuana legalization, since marijuana remains a controlled substance under federal law.
California Wealth Tax on Billionaires Qualifies for November Ballot
A proposed California ballot measure that would impose a wealth tax on billionaires has collected enough signatures to appear on the November ballot, state officials confirmed.A California ballot initiative that would establish a wealth tax on billionaires has qualified for the November election after gathering the required number of voter signatures, state officials announced. The proposal would impose a new tax on residents whose net worth exceeds one billion dollars. The measure has drawn significant opposition from technology industry executives and some state officials, while polling suggests it has broader public support. California already has the highest income tax rate of any US state, and wealth tax proposals raise complex questions about valuation of assets, avoidance strategies, and the potential for high-net-worth individuals to relocate. The November ballot campaign is expected to involve substantial spending on both sides. Wealth tax proposals have generally stalled at the federal level, making California a key testing ground for the concept.
FDA Advisory Panel Backs First mRNA-Based Influenza Vaccine for Older Adults
An FDA advisory panel has recommended approval of Moderna's mFlusiva, the first influenza vaccine built on mRNA technology, intended for adults 65 and older ahead of the coming flu season.A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has voted to back the approval of Moderna's mFlusiva, an influenza vaccine developed using the same messenger RNA technology that underpinned the COVID-19 vaccines. If the FDA follows the panel's recommendation, as it typically does, mFlusiva would become the first mRNA-based flu vaccine authorized in the United States. Moderna is seeking approval specifically for adults 65 and older, the age group most vulnerable to severe influenza outcomes. Traditional flu vaccines are produced using egg-based or cell-based manufacturing processes, which can be slower to update as circulating strains evolve. mRNA technology allows for faster reformulation, a potential advantage in years when the flu strain composition changes rapidly. The FDA will make a final authorization decision separately from the panel's vote. If authorized, the vaccine would be available ahead of the coming winter flu season.
Flu Outbreak Sickens Over 150 Recruits at Air Force Base Weeks After Military Ends Mandatory Flu Vaccination
More than 150 recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have fallen ill with influenza, roughly weeks after the Defense Department ended mandatory flu vaccination for military personnel.An influenza outbreak has sickened more than 150 recruits in training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The outbreak follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision to end mandatory flu vaccination for military personnel, a policy change he described as supporting bodily autonomy for service members. The timing has drawn scrutiny from public health observers, who note that the dense, close-quarters conditions of military recruit training have historically made vaccination particularly important for preventing infectious disease spread. The Defense Department has not publicly attributed the outbreak directly to the policy change, and other factors can contribute to flu transmission in recruit settings. The outbreak comes as the FDA is simultaneously considering approving the first mRNA-based flu vaccine for older Americans.
State Department to Take Control of CDC's Global Health Programs as Agency Scales Back International Work
The State Department is assuming control over much of the CDC's global disease work, including programs previously run under PEPFAR, with critics arguing the department lacks the technical expertise to manage them effectively.A new plan shifts substantial control of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international disease programs to the State Department. The restructuring affects global health initiatives that were previously administered directly by public health professionals at the CDC, including work funded under PEPFAR, the US government's global HIV and AIDS treatment program. Critics of the change, including public health experts and some lawmakers, argue the State Department does not have the specialized epidemiological and clinical expertise needed to effectively manage programs that address infectious disease outbreaks, treatment delivery, and health system capacity in lower-income countries. Supporters of the reorganization have framed it as consolidating foreign assistance under diplomatic oversight. The shift comes amid broader reductions in US international health and development spending.
Federal Regulator Acts to Protect Consumers from Data Center Power Costs as Complaints of Worker Retaliation Emerge
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission directed grid operators to make rule changes protecting consumers from higher electricity bills caused by data center power demand, as a separate labor complaint alleged a major tech company retaliated against workers who advocated for data center regulation.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a directive requiring grid managers to implement changes designed to ensure that the rapidly growing power demands of artificial intelligence data centers do not result in higher electricity costs for residential and commercial customers. The order aims to give data centers faster access to grid power while protecting other ratepayers from bearing the costs of new infrastructure. Separately, a labor complaint alleged that a major technology company retaliated against employees who spoke in favor of regulating data centers at public hearings in their company's headquarters city. The employees had encouraged local limits on data center construction. The complaints add a labor dimension to an already contentious debate about how AI infrastructure expansion is being governed. Meanwhile, residents near existing large data centers in multiple locations have raised concerns about persistent low-frequency noise and vibration from cooling systems and power equipment, which some say is affecting their health and property. The intersection of energy regulation, labor rights, and community impact is emerging as a significant policy front as AI infrastructure investment accelerates.
Trump Says Apple Will Purchase Computer Chips from Intel
President Trump announced that Apple will buy computer chips from Intel, a development that would be significant for Intel, which sold a 10 percent stake to the US government last year. Neither company has publicly confirmed the deal.President Trump stated that Apple will purchase computer chips from Intel, though neither company has publicly confirmed or commented on the arrangement. If the deal proceeds as described, it would represent a meaningful shift for Apple, which has in recent years relied primarily on chips designed in-house and manufactured by partners in Asia. For Intel, which has faced sustained competitive pressure and sold a 10 percent equity stake to the US government last year, a supply agreement with Apple would be a significant commercial development. The announcement fits into a broader pattern of the administration publicizing domestic manufacturing and procurement commitments from large technology companies. Details about the scope, timeline, or type of chips involved have not been publicly disclosed.
Tropical Storm Arthur Makes Landfall Along Texas Coast, Bringing Flood Risk
Tropical Storm Arthur made landfall along the upper Texas coast on Thursday after being downgraded from a tropical cyclone, with forecasters warning of life-threatening flash flooding across the Gulf region.Tropical Storm Arthur made landfall along the upper Texas coast on Thursday after losing wind intensity and being downgraded from a cyclone to a low-pressure system. The downgrade in storm classification does not eliminate the flooding risk — forecasters from the National Hurricane Center continued to warn of life-threatening flash flooding, property damage, and disruptions to travel and commerce as the storm's remnants moved inland. Arthur is the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially began in June. Intense rainfall began affecting Gulf coast communities before landfall, and additional precipitation was expected to spread across inland areas as the system weakened. Residents in low-lying areas along the Texas and Louisiana coasts were advised to follow guidance from local emergency management officials.
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Armed Attack on Niger's Main Airport Kills Dozens in Second Such Incident This Year
Gunmen attacked Niamey international airport in Niger, killing at least 35 people. A militant group claimed responsibility. It is the second attack on the same airport in 2026.At least 35 people were killed in an armed assault on Niger's main airport in Niamey. A militant group claimed responsibility for the early-morning attack. It is the second assault on the same facility in 2026, following a similar incident in January attributed to jihadist fighters. Niger has faced a sustained militant Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, and attacks on infrastructure and security sites have increased in frequency since a military government took power and expelled Western security partners. The repeated targeting of a major national airport marks a notable escalation in the scale and ambition of militant operations in the country.
Federal Indictment Charges Florida Man with Plotting Attack on Jewish Advocacy Group
A federal grand jury has indicted a Florida man on charges of plotting a mass shooting targeting employees at a Jewish advocacy organization in Washington.A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a Florida man on charges of planning a mass shooting intended to target employees at a prominent Jewish advocacy organization. Authorities allege the suspect had obtained a firearm with a silencer in preparation for the attack. The case was referred to federal prosecutors and is being treated as a hate-motivated plot. Federal law enforcement agencies have noted a sustained rise in threats and plots targeting Jewish institutions and organizations over the past several years. The charges include counts related to weapons violations and conspiracy. No attack took place — the plot was interdicted by law enforcement.