US Expands Iran Strikes to Infrastructure; Iran Retaliates Against US Allies
US airstrikes hit bridges, energy facilities, and a major Iranian port on Friday, marking seven consecutive days of attacks. Iran responded with strikes against US allies in the region, and the US military denied targeting civilian infrastructure.The United States expanded its aerial campaign against Iran on Friday, striking bridges in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, energy facilities, and a key Iranian port. Iranian state media reported at least seven people killed in the bridge strikes. The US military stated the attacks were aimed at further degrading Iranian military capabilities and denied that civilian infrastructure was deliberately targeted. The campaign has now stretched to seven consecutive days of exchanges. In response to the latest strikes, Iran launched attacks against US allies in the Middle East. Separately, Iran has reportedly directed the Houthi movement in Yemen to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait using missiles, drones, and sea mines — a move that could disrupt a significant share of global shipping traffic. Analysts note that while the US holds a substantial military advantage, Iran retains enough capability to inflict meaningful damage on regional partners and global commerce. Diplomatically, the two governments remain far apart, and no negotiations toward a ceasefire have been publicly announced. The conflict carries significant implications for oil prices, global shipping routes through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb, and US military commitments in the Middle East.
Andy Burnham Becomes UK Labour Leader, Set to Become Prime Minister Monday
Andy Burnham was declared leader of the UK Labour Party on Friday and will become prime minister on Monday. He is the seventh British prime minister in a decade and has pledged to form a united government with a left-leaning policy agenda.Andy Burnham was confirmed as leader of the UK Labour Party on Friday and is set to take office as prime minister on Monday. He was the sole contender in the leadership contest, which followed the departure of Keir Starmer after a rebellion within the parliamentary party. Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, pledged to lead a government free of factional infighting and to deliver what he described as the biggest change in British politics in 40 years. His policy agenda is described as distinctly left of center, though his choice of Shabana Mahmood as chancellor has generated some unease on the party's left wing. Cabinet appointments are expected to be announced on Monday alongside his formal assumption of office. He becomes the seventh prime minister Britain has had in a decade, taking power at a time of economic stagnation and political volatility. For American readers, the change is relevant to US-UK trade relations, the special relationship, and ongoing discussions about British Steel nationalization — which has already prompted a formal complaint from China.
Ukrainian Soldiers and Public Protest Removal of Defense Minister Fedorov
Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have expressed strong opposition to the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, with protests erupting after his dismissal. Fedorov was known for leading Ukraine's technology-driven defense innovation efforts.Street protests broke out in Ukraine after the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and soldiers at the front have also publicly criticized the decision. Fedorov, a young minister who became internationally recognized for deploying commercial technology and drone warfare innovations to support Ukraine's military effort, had been seen as a symbol of a new generation of defense leadership. A separate New York Times report described how young Ukrainian officials had been cutting bureaucratic red tape to accelerate weapons procurement and battlefield innovation, but faced resistance from more traditional institutional figures. Fedorov's removal appears connected to that broader tension between reform-minded officials and the established defense establishment. The dismissal comes at a critical point in the war, with Ukraine continuing to depend heavily on external military and financial support. The episode is relevant to US interests given the scale of American investment in Ukraine's defense and the ongoing congressional and public debate over that support.
European Union Proposes Slowing the Pace of Emissions Cuts for Businesses
The European Commission has proposed revisions to its flagship carbon market that would give businesses more time to reduce emissions, drawing criticism from climate advocates who say the changes weaken the EU's most effective climate tool.The European Commission released proposals Friday to relax the pace of emissions reductions required under the EU's Emissions Trading System, the bloc's primary mechanism for cutting carbon output from industry. Under the revisions, companies would be given more time to meet reduction targets, a response to industry pressure and political backlash against the pace and cost of the green transition. Critics, including environmental groups and climate scientists, say the changes risk undermining the most effective tool Europe has developed to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The proposals come as the EU faces competing pressures: political parties skeptical of aggressive climate policy have gained ground in several member states, while major industries warn that rapid decarbonization requirements threaten competitiveness. The outcome is relevant to US interests given trade relationships with Europe and the broader global trajectory of climate commitments ahead of future international negotiations.
Markets have been mixed with no clear direction over the past week.
Trump Administration Seeks to Restore Tariffs After Supreme Court Struck Down Major Import Taxes
The Trump administration is working to reinstate broad tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down the largest of its import taxes in February. The tariffs had generated significant revenue before the ruling.The Trump administration is working to rebuild its tariff program after the Supreme Court struck down the largest and most sweeping of its import taxes in February. Before the ruling, the broad tariffs — applied to goods from nearly every country — generated substantial revenue for the US Treasury. The court's decision effectively halted that revenue stream. Administration officials are now exploring legal and procedural mechanisms to reimpose trade barriers, though the scope and timing remain unclear. The episode raises significant questions about the limits of executive authority over trade policy and what tools the administration can use going forward. The original tariff program was one of the central economic policy initiatives of the Trump administration's second term, affecting consumer prices, supply chains, and diplomatic relationships with trading partners.
Technology Stocks Fall as Chip Selloff Continues; Oil Prices Rise on Middle East Tensions
Global technology stocks declined Friday as a selloff in semiconductor shares deepened. Oil prices rose amid the ongoing US-Iran military exchange, and mortgage rates increased in the United States.Technology stocks fell broadly on Friday as a selloff centered on chip and AI-related equities continued for a second day. The Nasdaq 100 saw notable losses. Separately, oil prices rose in response to the expanding US military strikes on Iranian infrastructure, with markets factoring in potential disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Persian Gulf region. US mortgage rates also moved higher during the session, influenced in part by the renewed Middle East tensions. The combination of a technology sector correction and rising energy costs creates a mixed picture for the US economy, with potential implications for consumer costs and broader market performance heading into the following week.
Taylor Farms Lettuce Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak Across Five States; FDA to Inspect Mexico Facilities
Federal health officials have linked a cyclospora outbreak in five states to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and served at Taco Bell restaurants. Taylor Farms has begun removing some products, and the FDA plans to inspect farms and a lettuce facility in Mexico.Federal health officials have identified iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms as the source of a cyclospora outbreak affecting consumers in five states. The lettuce was served at Taco Bell restaurants. Taylor Farms, based in Salinas, California, grows produce in more than twelve states as well as in Mexico and Canada. The company has begun voluntarily removing some products from distribution. The FDA is planning inspections of farms and a lettuce shredding facility in Mexico to determine how the contamination occurred and to trace how widely the affected lettuce was distributed — investigators believe it may have reached vendors beyond Taco Bell. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes intestinal illness, typically with prolonged diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach cramps. Symptoms can begin one to two weeks after consuming contaminated food. Readers who have recently eaten at Taco Bell and are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms are advised to contact a healthcare provider. The investigation is ongoing and the full scope of affected products and locations has not yet been confirmed.
FDA Approves New Daily Cholesterol Pill That Reduces Levels Beyond What Statins Can Achieve
The FDA has approved a new daily oral pill that lowers cholesterol to levels significantly below what statins can achieve. Clinical trials supported the approval.The Food and Drug Administration approved a new daily pill on Thursday that reduces cholesterol levels further than statins, the widely used and inexpensive class of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Clinical trials demonstrated the new pill can bring cholesterol down to ranges not reachable with existing oral medications. Statins have been the standard of care for high cholesterol for decades and are available cheaply in generic form, so the new drug would likely be positioned for patients who cannot tolerate statins, have a genetic condition causing very high cholesterol, or fail to reach target levels with existing treatments. The approval marks a significant addition to the options available to the roughly 94 million American adults who have elevated cholesterol, a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Details on the drug's name, manufacturer, and pricing were not fully specified in the available source material.
Brain Implant Allows Paralyzed Man to Feed Himself and Drink Without Assistance
A man paralyzed from the chest down in a swimming accident has been able to feed himself and drink from a cup using a brain implant that bypasses his spinal cord injury. The device was part of a clinical trial.Keith Thomas of Massapequa, New York, who was paralyzed from the chest down in a swimming accident six years ago, has regained the ability to feed himself and drink from a cup through a brain implant that bypasses his spinal cord injury. Thomas enrolled in a clinical trial of a neural bypass system that reads signals from his brain and routes them around the damaged spinal cord to restore arm and hand function. Before the trial, he could not lift his arms off his wheelchair. The development represents a meaningful advance in neural interface technology, which has been an active area of research for treating paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries. The technique does not repair the underlying injury but creates an alternative signal pathway that enables voluntary movement.
Earth-Like Exoplanet 49 Light Years Away Found to Have Atmosphere That Could Support Liquid Water
Researchers have detected an atmosphere around an Earth-like exoplanet called LHS 1140b, located 49 light years away, which scientists say could potentially have liquid water on its surface.Scientists have identified an atmosphere around LHS 1140b, an Earth-sized planet located 49 light years from our solar system. Atmospheres had previously been detected around gas giant exoplanets and some larger rocky worlds, but finding one around a planet of Earth's scale at this distance is considered a significant step in the search for potentially habitable worlds. Researchers say conditions on the planet could allow for liquid water on its surface, one of the key conditions scientists associate with the possibility of life. The discovery does not confirm the presence of life or water, but adds LHS 1140b to a short list of candidates that warrant further study with more powerful telescopes.
Trump Encourages Darline Graham to Run for Full Senate Term After She Is Sworn In to Replace Late Brother Lindsey
President Trump publicly urged Darline Graham, who was sworn in this week to fill the Senate seat of her late brother Lindsey Graham, to seek a full six-year term. She has privately expressed interest in running, according to reports.President Trump announced Friday that he has encouraged Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, to run for a full Senate term. She was sworn in earlier this week to serve out the remainder of her brother's term following his recent death. Trump posted his endorsement on Truth Social, saying he had spoken with her directly. Multiple reports indicate she has privately expressed interest in seeking the seat in her own right through a special Republican primary. Memorial services for Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent figure in the Senate for more than two decades, are being arranged. The South Carolina Senate seat is now a notable open race heading into the midterm election cycle.
DHS Threatens to Cut Federal Funding for States That Do Not Comply With Voter Roll Security Requirements
The Department of Homeland Security has told states they must meet federal election security standards related to voter rolls or risk losing federal election funding. Twenty-three states have joined the program so far.The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Markwayne Mullin, has threatened to withhold federal election funding from states that refuse to participate in a voter roll security initiative. The program involves states meeting certain standards for verifying and maintaining voter registration data. As of Friday, 23 states have joined. The announcement follows a primetime address by President Trump focused on election integrity, in which he also released previously classified documents related to foreign interference. The threat to states that decline participation is likely to face legal scrutiny, as states have traditionally held primary authority over election administration. The move is part of a broader administration effort to assert federal influence over election security standards.
Canadian Wildfire Smoke Affects 109 Million Americans; MLB Games Disrupted
Wildfire smoke from Canada blanketed the US midwest, mid-Atlantic, and northeast Friday, affecting roughly 109 million people with hazardous air quality. The Cleveland Guardians postponed their MLB game and other teams closed retractable stadium roofs.Smoke from wildfires burning in Ontario, Canada drifted across large portions of the United States on Friday, blanketing the midwest, mid-Atlantic, and northeast regions. Approximately 109 million people faced poor to hazardous air quality, with health officials comparing prolonged exposure to smoking roughly half a pack of cigarettes per day. Major cities including those in the affected corridor saw reduced visibility and orange-tinted skies. In professional baseball, the Cleveland Guardians postponed their game due to air quality conditions, while other teams with domed or retractable-roof stadiums closed them for protection. Health officials advise residents in affected areas to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, and use air purifiers or wear N95 masks when going outside. People with respiratory conditions, the elderly, children, and pregnant women face the highest health risks. Improvised air purifiers can be made using a box fan and furnace filter as a lower-cost protective measure. President Trump separately blamed Canada for the smoke, suggesting that pollution costs should be added to tariffs on Canadian imports. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that both countries share responsibility for addressing climate change, which experts say is intensifying wildfire conditions.
Spain Faces Argentina in World Cup Final Sunday, With Chance to Win Back-to-Back Men's and Women's Titles
Spain will play Argentina in the men's World Cup final on Sunday. A Spanish victory would make the country the first to hold both the men's and women's World Cup titles at the same time, after the women's team won in 2023.The Spanish men's national team will face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday. Spain's women's team won the World Cup in 2023, meaning a men's victory would make Spain the first country to hold both titles simultaneously. Argentina advanced to the final and was described in separate coverage as having drawn criticism for unsportsmanlike behavior during the semifinal against England. The final will be broadcast in the United States on Fox and Fox One in English, Telemundo in Spanish, and is also available on the Fox Sports app and Peacock in Spanish. A halftime entertainment show is scheduled to begin around 3:45 PM Eastern time and is expected to run approximately 11 minutes.
Lucas Herbert Leads Open Championship After Day Two; DeChambeau Receives Two-Stroke Penalty
Australian golfer Lucas Herbert leads the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after two rounds. Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty for improving his stance in the rough, dropping him from second place.Lucas Herbert holds the lead at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after the second round, having narrowly missed a record-breaking 62 when he failed to hole a five-foot putt on the final hole. Bryson DeChambeau had shot a 66 that appeared to catapult him into second place, but was subsequently assessed a two-stroke penalty after officials determined he had improved his stance while attempting to play from hip-high rough on the fifth hole. Officials acknowledged DeChambeau had not done so intentionally. Rory McIlroy produced strong driving but struggled on the greens, leaving his chances of a title in the balance heading into the weekend rounds.
Stories of tragedy and violence — expand only if you choose to
Israeli Strike at Gaza Funeral Kills at Least Seven, Injures 22
An Israeli strike hit a funeral gathering in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, killing at least seven people and injuring 22, according to Al-Awda hospital. The Israeli military said the strike targeted militants and acknowledged that uninvolved individuals may have been harmed.An Israeli airstrike struck a funeral gathering in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least seven people and wounding 22 others, according to Al-Awda hospital. The Israeli military stated the strike was aimed at members of a militant organization it described as the second-largest armed group operating in Gaza. In a statement, the military said it was aware of reports that uninvolved individuals had been harmed. The incident occurred amid the continuing conflict in Gaza, which has produced a high civilian casualty toll. The accounts from the hospital and the Israeli military differ in framing; the number of casualties was confirmed by medical staff on the ground.