In a sign of desperation for Kyiv, Ukraine is striking tankers carrying Russian oil, @shustry and @JonLemire report:

Mohammad Tajik wanted to be “Iran’s Snowden” and humiliate a regime he felt had done the same to him. @shaneharris details his communications with Mohammad, who claimed to be an Iranian intelligence officer and was out for revenge.

Alina Habba’s resignation shows how the Trump administration is backing away from its outright defiance of the courts, @qjurecic argues.

The diplomatic pressure on Zelensky made him eager to show the military cards he can still play against the Russians Ukraine’s attacks on the shadow fleet achieved that

What Explains Trump’s Aggression Toward Venezuela? Who Knows

The Trump administration plans to require all foreign tourists to provide their social media histories from the last five years to enter the country, according to a notice published in the Federal Register.

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Off the Coast of Venezuela

“Amid the latest U.S. push to end the war through diplomacy, explosions hit five oil tankers in thirteen days. Ukraine’s targets were part of the so-called shadow fleet, which Russia uses to transport crude, in violation of Western sanctions”

NEW: Ukraine’s Latest Attacks Showcase Its Desperation Kyiv had long resisted hitting tankers carrying Russian oil But with the Trump administration ramping up the pressure on Ukraine to take a deal - maybe a bad one - Zelensky opted to widen the war

At the launch of a speaking tour intended to connect with Americans struggling with higher prices and stagnant wages, President Trump mocked the word “affordability” and touted how high the stock market had risen.

Part of President Trump’s very lengthy post just now defending his health: “I actually believe it’s seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean  “THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.”

“Trump has never displayed the temperament to serve as president, and now he is showing signs that he’s lost the physical stamina too”

“Benz’s mission is to use the agency’s archives to substantiate his own allegations about USAID’s pernicious influence in the world—its role in foreign regime change, its promotion of “state-sponsored hit pieces,” and its suppression of free speech”

“Two symbols dominate the haze of Manila’s skyline: church steeples and signs bearing Jollibee’s logo. Often, the Catholic Church and Jollibee go hand in hand”

Breaking News: Miami voters elected Eileen Higgins as mayor, choosing a Democrat to lead the city for the first time in almost 30 years.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he was ready for elections, after President Trump been upping the pressure on Ukraine to hold a national vote during the war with Russia.

NEW: New York judge orders the release of Ghislaine Maxwell-related grand jury records.

“They are using the tools of the American state in a manner that happens to benefit their friends and business partners, even while they do terrible damage to American allies, American alliances, and America’s reputation”

“David Ellison offered assurances to Trump administration officials that if he bought Warner, he’d make sweeping changes to CNN “Trump has told people close to him that he wants new ownership of CNN as well as changes to CNN programming”

“Inflation is as high today as it was the day Trump took office. His signature economic initiative—the steepest tariffs on imported goods since the Great Depression—has, predictably, increased costs for American consumers. Job growth has slowed this year”