President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russia to supply more than 4 million tons of diesel to the global market, aiming to ease high gas prices ahead of the midterm elections. However, analysts remain skeptical about the impact on prices, as the agreement appears to contradict U.S. sanctions on Russian oil sales. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also cast doubt on the deal, claiming Russia had already violated an "energy ceasefire" between the two countries. Meanwhile, increased tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns about global crude supply.
AI safety is becoming a growing concern, with industry leaders like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella calling for "an emergency brake" on AI models. Third-party evaluators such as Model Evaluation and Threat Research (METR) and Transluce are being increasingly relied upon to monitor AI models in the absence of federal government safety frameworks.
The Justice Department is investigating whether the White House television press pool violated antitrust laws by suspending coverage of Trump after CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were banned from accessing the White House. Katie Zacharia, a lawyer and conservative commentator, will take over as White House press secretary.
French bond yields are trading near levels last seen in 2002, raising questions about Italy's financial stability as the country considers widening its budget deficit. The Italian government's new spending levels could increase its debt-to-GDP ratio, putting pressure on its government bonds ahead of next year's general election.
Retailers are reducing the number of products they sell to stabilize sales and cut inventory, a move that could limit consumer choices amid rising energy and food prices. Brands like Dollar General, BJ's Wholesale Club, and Lululemon have announced plans to trim their product offerings.