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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the War Powers resolution deadline requiring notification or withdrawal of US forces from hostilities with Iran does not apply, citing the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The claim is drawing scrutiny from lawmakers who argue Congress retains authority over military engagements regardless of a ceasefire.

The White House is claiming that Iran 'backed down' to President Trump by agreeing to a ceasefire, framing the agreement as a result of US pressure. The characterization is likely to fuel debate over who gained the upper hand in the conflict and whether the truce will hold, with officials casting it as an American victory.

Venezuelan gold brought into the United States under the Trump administration is reportedly sitting unsold because American refiners are refusing to process it. Refiners appear wary of handling gold with contested origins and the reputational and legal risks tied to Venezuelan sanctions and supply chains. The standoff highlights the practical limits of Washington's pressure campaign on Venezuela and raises questions about how seized or imported sanctioned commodities can actually be handled.

Payments under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit are set to go out on Monday, according to the Toronto Star, which outlines what recipients need to know ahead of the deposit. The item is drawing attention as Canadians look for details on eligibility, payment amounts and timing amid ongoing concern about food and household costs.

Ukraine said it attacked one of Russia's largest oil refineries and a key hub in the country's crude-pipeline network. Kyiv is intensifying its campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, aiming to reduce the oil export revenues Moscow uses to finance its war in Ukraine. The strikes extend a pattern of long-range attacks on refineries and pipeline facilities deep inside Russian territory.

A nutrition study highlighted by World Athletics reports that taking sodium bicarbonate together with carbohydrate offers a performance benefit for athletes. The finding suggests co-ingestion may improve endurance and high-intensity performance beyond what either supplement delivers alone, offering a practical strategy for competitive runners and other endurance athletes preparing for races.

Ukraine has reportedly struck the LUKOIL-operated Volgograd oil refinery, one of Russia's largest, for what would be a repeat attack on the facility. The refinery processes around 15.7 million tonnes of crude annually, roughly 5% of Russia's total refining capacity, and sits about 300 km from the front line. Repeated strikes on such sites are being watched for their impact on Russian fuel supplies and export revenues.

Footage circulating online shows the moment a drone struck an oil refinery in Perm, Russia. The strike is part of a pattern of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy and fuel infrastructure, which have repeatedly targeted refineries deep inside Russian territory to disrupt fuel production and export revenues. Commenters are sharing and discussing the impact footage amid ongoing attacks on Russian oil facilities.

Jared Kushner has rejected suggestions that his diplomatic work on Israel could benefit his own business interests in Tel Aviv. The former White House adviser, who led Middle East peace efforts and later launched an investment firm backed by Gulf money, says there is no conflict. Critics have questioned the overlap between his private ventures and his continued role as an informal envoy.

Massad Boulos, a US senior adviser, has put forward a proposal for a 90-day ceasefire between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The plan would mark a step toward halting fighting that has displaced millions since the civil war erupted in 2023. Details on whether both sides have accepted remain unclear, with Sudanese officials and international mediators awaiting responses.

Sony Pictures is reportedly in negotiations to acquire a film adaptation of the Battlefield video game franchise, with Michael B. Jordan attached. The project would bring EA's long-running military shooter series to the big screen, following the wider industry trend of adapting major video game properties for film and television.

Sony is in negotiations to develop a film adaptation of EA's shooter franchise Battlefield, with Christopher McQuarrie attached and Michael B. Jordan involved, according to Variety. The project would bring the long-running military video game series to the big screen, pairing a director known for the Mission: Impossible films with one of Hollywood's leading actors.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine has used a new domestically developed ballistic missile in combat, a significant step for the country's defence industry as the war with Russia continues. The announcement draws attention amid ongoing debates over Western weapons supplies and Ukraine's push to build long-range strike capabilities of its own.

The Santa Barbara Independent reports that the New Beginnings Annual Benefit Gala 2026 will include a photography exhibit hosted at Art & Soul Gallery. The event combines a fundraising gala with an art showcase, with the gallery displaying photographs as part of the evening's programme. Further details about the exhibitors, beneficiaries or date have not been made available.

Sony Pictures is reportedly in negotiations to acquire a film adaptation of Electronic Arts' shooter franchise Battlefield, with Michael B. Jordan attached to star. Details on the director, writer and release timing have not been disclosed, and neither studio has officially confirmed the project.

US lawmakers are working on legislation to address the long-term health risks firefighters face, risks described as something 'we can't ignore anymore.' The effort comes as concerns grow over occupational hazards such as cancer and toxic exposure linked to the job. Details of specific bills or provisions remain limited in initial reports.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia, has stopped paying health benefits for employees who are on strike. The move affects workers withholding their labor in a labor dispute with the garden's management. The decision is drawing attention as a hardline tactic in an ongoing labor conflict at one of the region's most prominent cultural attractions.

Democrats are moving to hold President Trump accountable as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran takes hold. The effort comes amid questions over the authority and conduct of recent US strikes and the handling of the truce. Coverage from ABC News highlights the party's push for oversight, while Republicans defend the administration's actions as a foreign policy success.

Ukraine has carried out an attack on a major Russian oil refinery and a pipeline hub, according to Bloomberg. Strikes on Russian energy infrastructure have become a central part of Ukraine's campaign, aimed at cutting fuel supplies and export revenue funding Moscow's war effort. The reported hits add to a series of drone and missile attacks on refineries and depots deep inside Russian territory.

A new report examines the accelerating race to develop battlefield robots, asking whether machines could take on dangerous combat roles and reduce human casualties. The piece looks at how militaries are investing in robotic systems for reconnaissance, logistics and frontline duties, and the debate over removing soldiers from harm's way. It raises questions about cost, reliability and the ethics of machines in warfare.

Donald Trump is pushing South Korea to invest $54 billion in an Alaska liquefied natural gas project, drawing new attention to the long-stalled plan. The project would cost more than twice as much as a comparable U.S. Gulf Coast plant, raising questions about its economic viability even as Washington seeks foreign capital and closer energy ties with Seoul.

Tesla has stated an ambition to produce 10 million humanoid robots per year, a figure analysts say would require an entirely new manufacturing and component supply chain. Investors are looking at which suppliers of actuators, sensors, batteries and rare-earth materials could benefit as the robotics market scales up from Tesla's current Optimus program.