Deadlines & definitions: President Trump said a U.S. ceasefire stopped hostilities against Iran as he tried to bolster his argument that he does not need Congress’ permission to continue the conflict. Trump says the ceasefire gives him extra time under the 1973 War Powers Resolution to ask Congress to authorize his fight against Iran. Democrats say the law, which gives a president 60 days to fight before asking Congress for more time, contains no such provision.
Don’t pay to play: The U.S. said that any shipper who pays tolls to Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz will risk punitive sanctions. Trump rejected a proposal that an Iranian official said would open the strait and end the U.S. blockade on Iran while leaving nuclear talks for later. A multi-level yacht owned by Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov crossed the strait with no objection from Iran or the U.S.
Resistance: The Kremlin said Russian forces would remain to help the military-led government battle al Qaeda-linked insurgents and a coalition of mostly Tuareg separatists. The size and scale of recent attacks there demonstrate an unprecedented ability to coordinate fighters from different goals against the government. Authorities are investigating soldiers whom they suspect of involvement in the attacks.
No protection: The U.S. said it is not funding any security units to police or guard mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo despite an earlier announcement from Kinshasa. Sudan banned some imports to stem its currency’s slide. The prime minister deemed biscuits and chocolates, plastic bags and containers, fruits and vegetables, rice, cement and toys as “luxuries and unnecessary.”
Pump it up: Drivers were paying $6 a gallon for gas in California on Thursday, and candidates in the race for governor are debating whether the state should scrap its gasoline tax, the highest in the nation. Investors are running out of time to prepare for a proper oil-price shock.
Too much to go around: The Iran war has throttled natural-gas exports from the Gulf while a scarcity of export-plant and pipeline-transportation capacity in the U.S. is preventing American supply from reaching overseas markets.
A change of plan: Critics say the Civil-Military Coordination Centre failed in its mission to monitor the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and boost aid flow to Palestinians. The U.N. is helping Gaza repave its streets with war rubble. More than 100 pro-Palestinian activists carrying aid on boats bound for Gaza were taken to Crete after Israel seized their vessels in international waters near Greece.
And in Ukraine: Russia launched more than 400 drones at Ukraine during a daytime attack. Ukraine said it would carry out reforms in its army to address infantry shortages. Ukraine’s top general ordered a mandatory two-month time limit for front-line troops serving in forward positions after photos of emaciated soldiers on combat duty sparked a nationwide outcry.
Capital spending: The Facebook founder said Meta has two major cost centers: computer infrastructure and “people-oriented things.” Take a guess on which one goes first. LinkedIn said its AI products that review CVs for companies will generate $450 million in sales this year.
