Oil prices jumped after attacks forced Saudi Arabia to close a major east–west pipeline and most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained halted, lifting Brent above $108 and U.S. crude near $103. President Trump rejected calls to slow AI development and repeated his pledge of $5,000 checks if Republicans keep Congress, though Speaker Mike Johnson said Congress must approve any plan. A wounded U.S. airman described ejecting and evading capture for two days after being shot down over Iran, and a federal judge blocked USPS changes that could limit mail voting ahead of the midterms.
Oil Prices Spike After Middle East Attacks; Trump Rejects Slowing AI and Repeats $5,000 Pledge
Vantor/Handout via Reuters, Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Oil markets surged Monday as renewed fighting in the Middle East tightened key supply routes, while President Donald Trump pushed back against calls to slow artificial intelligence development and reiterated his promise of $5,000 payments to Americans if Republicans retain control of Congress.
Dario Amodei (L); Sam Altman (C); Elon Musk (R) (Ludovic MARIN | Matt RAMEY | Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)
Energy Markets Strained
Brent crude traded above $108 a barrel and the U.S. benchmark hovered near $103 after strikes forced Saudi Arabia to shut its east–west pipeline — an important alternative route — at a time when most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains suspended. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have stepped up attacks on Saudi targets and seized territory along another vital Red Sea shipping corridor.
Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images
Diesel prices are at record highs: AAA reported a national average of $6.23 per gallon.
Alexander Zverev (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Asked about the diesel shortage, Mr. Trump rejected a Middle East explanation and instead blamed the Russia–Ukraine war: "Mr. Zelenskyy has to do one thing... He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia... This isn't done by the Middle East; this is done by what's happening with Russia and Ukraine."
A diplomatic meeting meant to ease tensions over the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed at Saudi Arabia's request, and no new date has been announced.
Alexander Zverev (Garrett Ellwood/USTA via Getty Images)
Downed Airman Describes Ordeal
For the first time, a weapons systems officer known by his call sign, Bravo, spoke publicly about being shot down over Iran in April. In an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes he described the moment his F-15E was hit, being forced to eject and landing with severe injuries.
Ben Shelton (L) and Alexander Zverev (R) (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Bravo said his parachute was damaged and he sustained a broken back, arm and shoulder. He landed about five miles from his pilot, Alpha, who was rescued roughly six hours later. Despite multiple fractures, Bravo evaded capture for two days — hiking and climbing a 7,000-foot ridgeline — until pararescue teams reached him. Military analysts called his survival a "modern-day miracle."
Alexander Zverev (L) and Ben Shelton (R) (ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images)
AI Debate Intensifies
Several leading AI figures, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, urged a slowdown in the pace of capability gains for large AI models, calling for more time to assess safety risks. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said his company will use independent safety evaluators, and Elon Musk echoed Amodei's call.
Alexander Zverev (L) and Ben Shelton (R) (Garrett Ellwood/USTA via Getty Images)
Speaking in Ireland, Trump rejected calls to pause AI progress: "We're leading China in AI... I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI, wins. And we can put guardrails... but I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn't be bringing it up."
The debate has also moved into politics: Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro urged public oversight and federal guardrails, while former President Barack Obama pushed Democrats to develop a clear AI safety and economic agenda.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Politics And Policy — $5,000 Pledge And Mail Voting Rules
Trump repeated his promise that $5,000 checks to American adults will happen "100%" if Republicans keep Congress, saying the federal government is collecting ample revenue. House Speaker Mike Johnson said any such plan would require congressional action: "We’re gonna process that in Congress and figure it all out." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned against borrowing to fund a large payout, arguing it could spur inflation.
In election-administration news, a federal judge blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing an executive order that would limit mail voting, concluding changes could cause "an increased risk that a significant number of otherwise appropriate absentee or mail-in ballots will ultimately not be counted" before the midterms. The administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow the rules to take effect; election officials say implementing the order before November is impractical.
Sports And Reflections
Germany's Alexander Zverev defeated American Ben Shelton in four sets to win the men's U.S. Open title. Shelton, in his first major final, sought to become the first American man to win the tournament since 2003.
Looking Back: 9/11 And Its Aftermath
The piece revisits the legacy of Sept. 11, 2001 — more than 3,000 killed, long wars and the rise of a surveillance industry — and notes how anti-Muslim sentiment became more visible in later years despite early calls for tolerance by then-President George W. Bush.
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- The CIA director reportedly made a secret trip to Moscow.
- The U.S. and Iran traded attacks after a months-long lull; deadly flooding hit the Grand Canyon.
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