UN Security Council Mulls Lebanon Peacekeepers’ Future as Mandate End Approaches

War 'Very Close' To Over, Trump Says, As Iran Ceasefire Extension Reportedly Advances, But More US Troops Deploy Summary The Iran war is "very close to over" with authorities in Tehran eager to agree a peace deal, Trump says, adding: "We've beaten them militarily." AP/Bloomberg reporting the two sides have an "in principle agreement" to pursue further diplomacy; however, this is batted down as 'unconfirmed' by Tehran & a US official. The Pentagon is sending thousands of additional troops into the Middle East in coming days: WaPo Trump claims China "very happy" the US is...

How U.S. Retailers Are Absorbing The Fuel-Price Shock We have diligently tracked the Gulf-related fuel-price shock hitting the American consumer, with prices rising at the fastest rate in three years, personal savings depleted, and spending still running hot, a trend Goldman flags as increasingly troubling for the broader economy. This cocktail has revived uncomfortable memories of the 1970s: higher energy costs, squeezed households, and a consumer still spending into weakness. But another important area of coverage is how companies are faring as freight, fuel, and supplier costs, along with tariff pressures,...

No New Laws Required... Private Biometrics Are Building The Digital ID Prison Authored by Patti Johnson via The Burning Platform blog, That “black pill moment” is arriving faster than many realize. Not primarily through sweeping new government mandates, but through private companies quietly normalizing biometric data collection under the banners of “security,” “fraud prevention,” and “child protection.” They are erecting the infrastructure for a world where you cannot easily participate in daily life, commerce, or even basic online access without surrendering your face, your license scan, or other biometrics. Once the systems exist...