Energy Department raises 2027 diesel price outlook by 33 cents amid Iran war
The U.S. Energy Department's statistics arm raised its forecast for 2027 diesel prices by 33 cents to $4.40 a gallon, citing tight global supplies and low domestic inventories. The outlook suggests Americans may face elevated fuel costs through 2027, with President Trump acknowledging that oil prices may not fall until after the midterms. The EIA also raised its 2026 forecast to $5.07 a gallon. The war in Iran and disruptions in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Russia are contributing to supply losses and high prices. The EIA expects distillate fuel oil inventories to drop below 100 million barrels in September and remain low through much of 2027.
The Iran war has driven up global energy costs, with oil prices reaching $100 per barrel and diesel hitting a record $6.05 a gallon. The conflict has strained shipping routes, with tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz falling to its lowest level since May. The war has also led to attacks on oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, with at least 73 people wounded. The economic impact has been significant, with U.S. households spending an estimated $860 more on energy due to higher prices. The war has also affected the U.S. freight and delivery network, with higher fuel costs impacting groceries and packages.
Where the accounts differ
Axios reports the Energy Department raised its 2027 diesel forecast by 33 cents to $4.40, while Newsweek states the national average for diesel hit $6.05 a gallon. Fox Business claims U.S. households spent $860 more on energy due to the war, a figure not mentioned in Axios. The Daily Caller notes that the cost of shipping crude from the U.S. Gulf Coast to China hit a record $29.5 million per voyage, a detail absent in Axios and Newsweek. UPI reports the Houthis seized the port of Mokha, a development not covered in the other accounts. The Federalist highlights the striking of Iranian tankers registered in African countries, a detail not included in the other outlets.
'Institutional neglect': 25 years on from 9/11, experts sound alarm over US counter-terror efforts
The US faces growing challenges in countering international terrorism as resources are diverted to other threats, experienced security officials leave and “complacency” spreads, experts have warned. It is 25 years this week since the 9/11 attacks launched by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida on New York and Washington, which killed about 3,000 people and led to decades of conflict, radicalisation and instability across the Middle East and beyond. Though there have been no successful attacks on anything like a similar scale in the US since, and only a small number inspired by extremist Islamist ideologies, many are warning of growing risks. Some blame Donald Trump for politicising counter-terrorism efforts, making ill-considered and inappropriate appointments to senior intelligence posts and diverting attention from more urgent threats with a campaign against drug cartels. Intelligence veterans criticised the appointments of Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel to high-profile national intelligence roles. For the 2026 financial year, funding requested for the principal agencies of the civilian intelligence community totalled $81bn. But the designation of criminal groups such as the Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations has stretched resources. An updated counter-terrorism strategy released in May by the Trump administration has been controversial. Many intelligence experts and analysts have highlighted how the strategy downplays the rising threat from rightwing extremism in the US and stresses instead the battle against leftwing violence, cartels and gangs.
Where the accounts differ
The Guardian reports that the US intelligence community is experiencing a “basket of factors” including “funding, personnel [and] complacency,” while The Daily Wire focuses on public sentiment in New York City, reporting that two-thirds of those interviewed expressed sympathy for or justified the 9/11 attacks. The Guardian attributes the decline in counter-terrorism efforts to Trump’s appointments and policy shifts, while The Daily Wire attributes the lack of public awareness to a broader political debate. The Guardian also notes that the UN report states that “al-Qaida senior leadership remained marginalized” while “its capability and intent to conduct external operations remained unclear,” a detail not included in The Daily Wire’s account. The Daily Wire does not mention the UN report or the US intelligence community’s challenges, instead focusing on public opinion and political discourse.
UK Imposes Sanctions on Israeli Settlement Goods, Sparks International Response
The UK government announced new sanctions targeting goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing the need to halt settlement expansion and protect the two-state solution. The move was supported by France, Canada, and 10 other European countries, which also pledged to introduce similar measures. The UK's Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, described the actions as a necessary response to what he called "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians by settlers. Israel condemned the sanctions, threatening to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem and ban 12 British lawmakers from entering the country. The US expressed concern over the UK's actions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating the US would not follow Britain's lead. The Trump administration also warned of potential retaliation against the UK.
The UK's sanctions are expected to take six to nine months to implement, with limited immediate economic impact due to the small share of settlement goods in Israel's exports. The move marks a significant shift in Britain's policy toward a longtime ally. Meanwhile, the Israeli government defended its settlement expansion, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office emphasizing that the E1 project is a natural extension of Ma’ale Adumim and not part of a Palestinian state. The US State Department reiterated its opposition to West Bank annexation, warning that such actions could undermine regional peace efforts.
Where the accounts differ
The Guardian reports that prominent Israelis, including former officials and academics, welcomed the UK sanctions, calling them a necessary response to Israeli government failures. Mother Jones highlights the US's strong opposition to the UK's actions, with US officials like Marco Rubio and Mike Huckabee criticizing the move. The BBC notes that the UK's sanctions have led to a diplomatic escalation, with Israel threatening to close its consulate in East Jerusalem and ban British lawmakers from entering the country. Straight Arrow News adds that the UK's measures are aimed at stopping settlement expansion and supporting accountability for settler violence. FOX News emphasizes the E1 project as the focus of international backlash, with Israeli officials defending the area as part of the biblical homeland. Al Jazeera provides on-the-ground accounts of settler violence against Palestinians, including specific incidents of attacks and killings.
Trump calls to Make Germany Great Again. In Germany, nostalgia carries a dark past.
President Trump praised Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party after it won a record 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt's elections, bringing the party closer to forming its first far-right state government since World War II. Trump used the phrase "Make Germany Great Again" to celebrate the AfD's success, which he attributed to dissatisfaction with Germany's immigration policies. The AfD, which has been classified as extremist by intelligence authorities, has faced criticism for its ties to far-right ideologies and its downplaying of Nazi history. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz postponed a planned call with Trump following the election, citing concerns over foreign leaders commenting on German politics. Merz also criticized the AfD's "remigration" campaign as resembling "ethnic cleansing based on origin and skin color."
The AfD's rise has sparked fears among Jewish leaders and critics who warn that the party's policies could undermine efforts to combat antisemitism. The party's leader, Alice Weidel, has denied that AfD is far-right, while other AfD politicians have been linked to neo-Nazi groups and have made controversial statements about the Nazi era. The party's platform includes calls for peace talks with Russia, ending German support for Ukraine, and lifting sanctions on Russia, which has drawn praise from Russian officials and concerns from European leaders.
Where the accounts differ
Axios reports that Trump used the acronym "MGGA" in his post, while Mother Jones and The Free Press do not mention this. Axios and The Nation both note that the AfD's leader, Alice Weidel, denies the party is far-right, but The Nation adds that the AfD's success is partly due to the Ukraine war's economic impact on eastern Germany. The Free Press states that the AfD is not a far-right party, while Axios and The Nation describe it as such. Al Jazeera and The Christian Science Monitor both link the AfD's rise to its pro-Russia stance, but Al Jazeera adds that the AfD is courting left-wing allies like the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which is not mentioned in other accounts.
Missouri officials set aside GOP redistricting plan after court intervention
Missouri officials have blocked the use of a Republican-drawn redistricting map that aimed to give GOP candidates an edge in the midterms. The state Supreme Court ruled that the map cannot be used until a referendum can be held, which was triggered by a petition with over 300,000 signatures. Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins initially followed a federal court order to use the new map but later reversed course, directing election officials to revert to the 2022 map. The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the federal order, allowing the state Supreme Court's ruling to take effect. The 5th District, represented by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver, was a target of the GOP redistricting effort, which sought to shift the district away from its Democratic base.
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to pause a lower court's directive to use the 2025 map has added to the legal uncertainty. The court's order, issued by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, temporarily halted the federal judge's ruling, which had instructed Missouri to use the new map. The state Supreme Court had previously ruled that the new map could not be used without a referendum, and the U.S. Supreme Court's stay of the federal order has left the situation unresolved. Legal experts suggest the high court may not be inclined to reinstate the GOP map before the November elections.
Where the accounts differ
NPR states that the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the federal order, allowing the state Supreme Court's ruling to take effect, and that the 5th District was targeted. The Daily Wire claims the U.S. Supreme Court blocked a federal judge’s decision to use the 2025 map, and that the new map would give Republicans a 7-1 advantage. UPI reports that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the new map again, and that the state Supreme Court had ruled the map could not be used. Straight Arrow News notes that the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Missouri from using the new map, and that the 2022 map would be used. The Federalist states that the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the use of the new map, and that the state Supreme Court ruled the map could not be used without a referendum. UPI also mentions that the state Supreme Court summoned Hoskins to explain why he should not be held in contempt.
Trump Announces Rebate For Americans ‘Ripped Off’ By Obamacare
President Donald Trump said that almost one million Americans would be getting $500 checks after being overcharged through fees under Obamacare. Trump made the announcement on Thursday, saying the extra fees were collected during the Biden administration. The overcharges occurred through Obamacare exchange “user fees” that were added to insurance premiums, according to the White House. The checks are projected to be mailed out in October 2026. The refund will be sent to people in 30 states who did not receive premium assistance under Obamacare, according to the White House. Trump used the announcement to push Congress to adopt his “Great Healthcare Plan,” which the White House says would lead to lower drug prices, greater price transparency, lower insurance premiums, and would “hold big insurance companies accountable.”
Where the accounts differ
The Daily Wire and BBC both state that the refunds will be sent to people in 30 states who did not receive premium assistance under Obamacare. The Daily Wire adds that the refunds will cover the entire spike in insurance costs caused by Democrats, and that the checks are projected to be mailed out in October 2026. The BBC notes that the refunds are on top of the $5,000 payments Trump recently pledged to send Americans if Republicans win control of Congress in November's elections. The Daily Caller and Axios both mention that the money comes from a $500 million pool of surplus fees collected from Obamacare customers during the Biden years. The Daily Wire and Axios also note that the refunds are part of Trump’s push for his “Great Healthcare Plan,” while the BBC mentions that the law's largest coverage-related changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) are not yet in effect and are expected to take several years to be fully implemented.
Lindsay Clancy's attorney asks judge to acquit her outright, ending case and barring a retrial
Lindsay Clancy, 36, faces three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the slayings of her children — 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan — who were discovered strangled at the family's home in January 2023. A mistrial was declared after jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict, with the panel split 11-1. Clancy's attorney, Kevin Reddington, filed a motion asking the judge to acquit her on the grounds that the evidence was legally insufficient to prove she was criminally responsible. The motion seeks a finding of not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility on each charge, with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 29. Prosecutors argue that the defense's claim of insufficient evidence is based on the holdout juror's alleged disregard for the reasonable doubt standard.
Where the accounts differ
FOX News reports that the motion is based on the claim that the prosecution's witnesses failed to prove Clancy's criminal responsibility, citing the Commonwealth's own experts who testified she had a serious mental illness. The Daily Wire claims that several jurors spoke to media outlets, including NBC News, and that these jurors admitted to disregarding the law due to sympathy for Clancy. The Federalist describes the jurors as "progressive" and compares their behavior to the "Covid Cult," suggesting they ignored judicial instructions. BBC reports that one juror spoke to CBS News about the deliberations, stating that most jurors were firm in their stance from the beginning. The New York Post focuses on a different case involving Corie Walsh, a mother accused of killing her son, and does not mention the mistrial or the motion for acquittal.
Amazon cargo jet pilot reportedly told wife, 'My career is over' shortly after deadly crash
An Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday, killing five people and injuring five others. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed the crash involved a Boeing 767 operated by 21 Air, with pilots Joseph Carroll, 55, and Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, 37. According to the NTSB, one pilot repeatedly warned the other about the aircraft's speed during the final approach and after touchdown, but the receiving pilot did not consistently respond. The plane overshot the runway by at least 1,300 feet before striking a van and an SUV. The five victims were inside the van, which belonged to a plane cleaning company. The pilots were treated and released, and the full cockpit conversation transcript has not yet been released.
Where the accounts differ
FOX News reports that one pilot told his wife over the phone, "My career is over," after the crash, as relayed by a witness, Abraham Altamar. NPR and Straight Arrow News also mention the pilot's warning about speed, but do not include the wife's call. UPI and Fox Business do not mention the wife's call. Fox Business and UPI provide more detail on the plane's speed and landing issues, while NPR and Straight Arrow News focus on the pilots' communication and possible lack of teamwork. Fox News and UPI both identify the victims, while Fox Business and Straight Arrow News also mention the lawsuit filed by the widow.