Newsweek is reporting that a ceasefire in the Middle East is under strain as Iran, the U.S. and Israel have launched fresh strikes. It said that late Wednesday and early Thursday, the U.S. defensively shot down several one-way attack drones and hit a ground control station. Iran, in turn, said it targeted a U.S. airbase in retaliation after Kuwait reported a missile and drone attack. Newsweek also noted that Israel entered a third day of strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, extending operations to coastal cities.
Newsweek said President Donald Trump threatened Oman over a proposal to work with Iran on a toll regime for the Strait of Hormuz, insisting the strait must remain free and open for all commercial vessels. Trump told his cabinet that Iran is "negotiating on fumes" and is mistaken if it believes it can outwait him until the midterms, stating, "I don’t care about the midterms." He pointed to Ken Paxton’s primary victory in Texas as a "prelude to the midterms." Newsweek also reported that a poll from The Economist/YouGov shows Trump's approval rating has dipped to an all-time low.
Newsweek is reporting that Democrats have experienced setbacks in their efforts to counter Republican gerrymandering. It said Alabama’s Republican leaders filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to reinstate a congressional map that a lower court ruled discriminates against Black people.
In international news, Newsweek reported that Botswana President Duma Boko is seeking a deal with President Trump to boost trade ties, particularly focusing on diamonds and newly discovered rare earth and critical mineral deposits. Boko emphasized a "Botswana First" approach, aligning with Trump's "America First" policy, to find common ground for mutual benefit.
Newsweek said a former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, John Sandweg, warned that immigration enforcement at World Cup 2026 venues could have a "chilling effect" on fan attendance. The tournament will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico across 11 U.S. host cities.
Newsweek reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India, officially framed around the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), was also seen as a "damage control" effort to repair strained India-U.S. relations. Former Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria described the visit as "overdue" for political reassurance.
Finally, Newsweek highlighted an interactive map (rmpmap.org) that provides a detailed look at U.S. chemical facilities regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk Management Program. It said the map identifies sites where hazardous materials are used and where accidents have been reported, offering a clearer picture of chemical hazards in communities.