Trump waives Jones Act in bid to stanch rise in oil prices

Trump’s Gladiator Delusion

The president’s South Lawn fight lacks the ambition of ancient Rome.

Eric Trump messaged UFC insider asking if White House fights were 'rigged': report

Eric Trump, the oldest of President Donald Trump's sons, was allegedly texting a UFC insider about whether any of the fights on the "UFC Freedom 250" event card were "rigged," according to a new report. Daniel Cormier, a UFC commentator, shared images on his X account of Trump texting him for information about whether any fighters were injured ahead of their matches, as well as other information he could use to place bets. "I'll just cut to the chase. Are any of the fights tomorrow rigged?" one image showed Trump asking Cormier. "I've been eyeing the Lopes fight and I think an upset wouldn't be too unrealistic $$" Screen grabs of the since-deleted post were reshared by several MMA fan accounts, and MMA journalist Adam Martin confirmed that he, too, had seen the original post before it was taken down. Martin also questioned the authenticity of Cormier's original post. "I will say that the DMs from Trump were a bit weird," Martin wrote on X. "I do wonder if he got hacked and some hacker sent the DMs to DC. But DC's post 100% was legit. He pulled the classic Jon Jones 'tweet and delete' move. Hopefully, he comments on this sometime tonight. DC didn't do anything wrong [by the way]." Cormier seemed to respond to the speculation that Trump had sought inside information from him in a cryptic post on X. "Are people really this dumb?" Cormier asked.

Trump's 'insulting' deal with Iran mocked by analysts: 'We've accomplished nothing'

President Donald Trump's announcement on Sunday that the U.S. and Iran had reached a new agreement that provides a pathway to ending the more-than 100-day-old conflict was mocked by some political analysts as "insulting."Trump wrote on Truth Social that he had fully authorized the "toll-free" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a global waterway that accounts for 20% of global energy trade. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been mediating the talks, posted on X that the agreement "[laid] the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony," which is scheduled for this Friday. The announcement was made less than one hour before Trump's "UFC Freedom 250" event at the White House began. It also sent Brent crude oil prices tumbling to roughly $83 per barrel, its lowest level since the war began. Initial details of the deal from Iranian state media say the U.S. agreed to include a reconstruction package worth at least $300 billion and to release $12 billion of the regime's frozen assets. Political analysts and observers mocked the announced deal on social media, arguing that it was yet another instance where Trump backed down from his threats. "The reported details of this Iran deal are so insulting to the 13 U.S. servicemen and women who died," Mike Nellis, a Democratic political strategist, posted on X. "We’ve accomplished nothing. Iran is reopening the Strait of Hormuz, not giving up its uranium, and Trump is going to give them $25 billion. That’s way worse than the deal Obama negotiated.""Congrats on things being back to how they were before you and Israel started this nonsense. What an incredible achievement," Barry Malone, a journalist and political commentator, posted on X. "Until this is in writing and all parties sign in agreement, there is NO deal," Gabe Sanchez, who hosts the "What Was That Show" podcast, posted on X. "Trump gave away everything and I’m positive that he will screw it up even more.""The president surrendered on his birthday," writer Peter Rothpletz posted on X.

Pence cast doubt on possibility of US, Iran peace deal before Trump announcement

Former Vice President Mike Pence cast doubt on the possibility of a deal between Iran and the U.S. over the two countries’ war shortly before President Trump announced a deal has been reached on Sunday. “My concern right now is not with the intentions of the president. Look, I think the president has earned a [...]

UFC Freedom 250: White House hosts MMA card for Trump’s 80th birthday – live updates

UFC takes over White House lawn for seven-fight cardThe stratospheric rise of the UFC’s Dana WhiteUFC to pay fighters in crypto from Trump companyReach out to Bryan on Bluesky or by emailThe most dangerous opponent on the card may prove to be the weather radar. Thunderstorms remain in the forecast over Washington, with a 60% chance of rain, heavy downpours and wind gusts approaching 34mph threatening to disrupt tonight’s festivities. While the canopy should keep the octagon dry, UFC officials will be monitoring lightning closely. A single strike within eight miles of the venue would trigger an automatic 30-minute suspension of the event.The Weather Channel highlighted the meteorological challenges earlier on Sunday, warning that oppressive humidity, triple-digit heat indices and even swarms of mosquitoes and gnats could complicate proceedings alongside the threat of thunderstorms. Continue reading...

Trump says U.S.-Iran deal "is now complete," U.S. ending blockade on Strait of Hormuz

President Trump and Pakistan's prime minister announced Sunday night that the U.S. and Iran had completed a deal to end fighting in the Middle East. Mr. Trump also said the U.S. blockade on the Strait of Hormuz would end immediately. Olivia Gazis reports.

Oil prices fall on US, Iran deal announcement

Crude oil prices fell over 4% to their lowest levels in over three months Sunday after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a ceasefire extension that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.Why it matters: Severe restrictions on oil traffic through the strait since the conflict began in late February have created an unprecedented energy shock that's a drag on the global economy.The oil price spike caused U.S. gasoline prices to soar to their highest levels since 2022, adding to GOP political peril ahead of the midterm elections.The latest: The global benchmark Brent crude is down 3.6% to $84.21 per barrel. It initially fell even more steeply before reversing some of the decline.WTI, the U.S. reference, is down over 4% to $81.38 per barrel.Sunday's decline follows prices that had already slid Friday on reports that an agreement was imminent.The apparent agreement could greatly expand tanker traffic through the narrow waterway that handles about a fifth of the global oil trade. Axios' Barak Ravid has the latest on the agreement. Catch up quick: The memorandum of understanding would mark the biggest diplomatic breakthrough of the war and buy time to settle the hardest questions over Iran's nuclear program.What we're watching: Average U.S. gasoline prices soared to a high of roughly $4.56 per gallon in May, but have retreated in recent weeks and now average $4.07, per AAA.That's still over $1 higher than pre-war levels at a time when affordability is front and center in midterm election battles. But prices will likely recede if crude oil prices — the largest variable in retail pump prices — continue to recede. What's next: The disrupted market will take months to fully untangle, but the apparent deal could enable a major increase in tanker transit.But it's not clear how many ship owners and operators will quickly have confidence to move through the waterway.Plus, even if the strait is fully open, Persian Gulf oil producers that cut production when the main export route was cut off will need time to revive it. Go deeper: Gas prices won't return to pre-war levels anytime soon

'Let's Not Blow It!': Trump Warns Israel's Lebanon Strikes Could Scuttle Iran Peace Deal (UPDATED)