AI Summary
5 min readThe president of the United States called off a military strike on Iran just hours after threatening one, a reversal that punctuated a day of whipsaw tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, a key intelligence tool is set to lapse after Congress failed to renew it, consumer spending continues to defy inflation, and the Supreme Court declined to let Alabama execute a death row inmate by nitrogen gas.
A strike called off, a blockade continues
President Trump announced on social media late Thursday that there would be no U.S. strikes on Iran that night, writing that "discussions and final points have been in both concept and great detail approved by all parties involved." This came just hours after he had said the U.S. would hit Iran "very hard." The sudden de-escalation followed days of direct confrontation: this week, the U.S. and Iran traded strikes after a U.S. helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump added that the U.S. naval blockade of Iran will remain in place until a formal agreement is signed, and he reiterated his claim that a peace deal is imminent.
A spy tool lapses, with political fallout
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:03) **Trump Calls Off Strikes on Iran** - President Trump announces via social media that U.S. strikes on Iran are canceled, citing ongoing talks and a pending peace deal.
- 2 (01:07) **Key Spy Tool Faces Lapse Due to Political Fallout** - The renewal of a foreign intelligence surveillance program is blocked by Democrats, leading to a potential lapse.
- 3 (01:51) **Consumer Spending Remains Strong Despite Inflation** - Bank of America Institute reports credit and debit card spending rose 5.1% in May from a year earlier.
- 4 (02:46) **Severe Weather Sweeps Through Midwest** - Tornadoes and severe storms hit the Midwest on Thursday evening.
- 5 (03:00) **Supreme Court Rejects Alabama Execution Request** - The Supreme Court denies Alabama's request to lift a stay of execution for death row inmate Jeffrey Lee.
- 6 (03:25) **Super El Niño Forecast for Coming Months** - NOAA forecasts a 63% chance of a very strong El Niño event, termed a "super El Niño," developing.
- 7 (04:18) **Phil Mickelson's Country Club Membership Revoked** - Professional golfer Phil Mickelson has his membership revoked at a San Diego area country club.
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