QtrendsIsrael and Lebanon agree to new ceasefire deal
Israel and Lebanon have reached a new ceasefire agreement that will take effect if Hezbollah ceases its attacks. The deal could remove a major obstacle in ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran. The ceasefire depends crucially on the cooperation of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. The agreement comes as the Trump administration scrambles to end its broader military engagement with Iran.
Sources:
Israel, Lebanon agree to implement ceasefire
(China Daily)
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a war powers resolution aimed at reining in President Trump's authority to conduct military operations against Iran. The bipartisan vote represents the strongest congressional rebuke yet of Trump's Iran policy. The resolution reflects growing unease on Capitol Hill over the scope of executive war-making powers. Lawmakers from both parties joined in an unusual show of pushback against the administration.
Russia is shifting more firepower into aerial attacks against Ukraine as Kyiv's ground offensive loses momentum. Analysts say Moscow is compensating for its lack of progress on the ground by ramping up air assaults. Ukrainian drone strikes have cast a shadow over President Putin's economic showcase in St. Petersburg. NPR reports from Kyiv on the aftermath of Russia's latest massive bombardment of the capital.
Republican lawmakers are reviving an immigration bill that includes a provision to block President Trump's proposed $1.8 billion payout fund. Trump has publicly stated he supports the fund and "loves" the idea. The bill represents an internal GOP split over Trump's signature domestic policy initiative. CBC reports on the proposed Trump-branded $250 bill associated with the fund.
Monetary compensation has emerged as a central obstacle in negotiations for a new Iran deal, with Trump bristling at comparisons to the Obama-era agreement. Allies and critics alike worry that Trump risks getting politically boxed in as he holds a cautious posture on the Iran war. Several Republican lawmakers have broken with Trump over the conflict, signaling growing dissent within his own party. The compensation issue reflects deep disagreements over the terms of any potential settlement with Iran.