U.S. and Iran trade strikes for 5th day; 103 House Democrats vote to end Israel aid; Over 200 dead in Congo massacres

U.S. and Iran trade strikes for 5th day; 103 House Democrats vote to end Israel aid; Over 200 dead in Congo massacres

From Drop Site: U.S. hits Iran with fifth day of renewed attacks. Iran responds, hitting U.S. bases in the Gulf. Iran calls Hormuz its “red line.” Pricey U.S. drone shot down. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi goes to Doha. WSJ: President Donald Trump favors expanding military operations against Iran. Israeli ceasefire violations continue across southern…

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Oil Prices Rise 1% as Iran Tensions Fuel Fears Over Strait of Hormuz & Red Sea Shipping Routes

Oil Prices Rise 1% as Iran Tensions Fuel Fears Over Strait of Hormuz & Red Sea Shipping Routes

0 US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Global oil prices climbed by around 1% on Wednesday as geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran intensified, raising fresh concerns over disruptions to critical global shipping routes. Investors are closely monitoring developments around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two of the world’s most important…

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Israel Economy Contracts 3.8% in Q1 — TradingView News

Israel Economy Contracts 3.8% in Q1 — TradingView News

Israel’s economy shrank at an annualized rate of 3.8% in the first quarter of 2026, following a downwardly revised 2.8% growth in the previous quarter, matching preliminary estimates. The contraction was driven largely by the “Harry’s Uproar” war, which disrupted economic activity. Domestic demand weakened, with consumer spending falling 4.9% and public consumption declining 4.8%….

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Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the new corridor wars – Middle East Monitor

Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the new corridor wars – Middle East Monitor

The concept of “corridor wars” describes intensifying competition among major powers over critical trade, energy, and transit routes in an era of weaponized interdependence. Unlike traditional territorial conflicts, these struggles center on controlling, securing, bypassing, or disrupting chokepoints: narrow maritime passages and overland links through which global commerce flows. Key arenas include the Strait of…

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Konstantin Sokolov to lead Tripp+ enterprise fund

Konstantin Sokolov to lead Tripp+ enterprise fund

Konstantin Sokolov, a Russian-born private equity investor based in Chicago, will serve as chairman of the U.S. State Department’s new Tripp+ enterprise fund, which will oversee more than $200 million designated for the Central Asia trade corridor, including investments in transportation, energy infrastructure and critical minerals. The Guardian reported the news, noting that the State Department…

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