US Defense Bill, Trump’s Syria Retaliation, Belarus Prison Release, Israel‑Hamas Clash…

The House of Representatives approved a sweeping $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act, allocating funds for advanced drones, naval strike vessels and new DEI mandates, while also tightening rules on foreign investment in defense firms. Lawmakers emphasized the bill’s role in maintaining U.S. military readiness amid rising geopolitical tensions. Wall Street Journal (politics)

President Donald Trump pledged “very serious retaliation” following an ISIS‑linked ambush in Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, echoing earlier statements that the United States would respond forcefully to any attacks on its forces abroad. The Hill reported Trump’s public promise, while the Financial Times highlighted his framing of the victims as “great patriots,” and USA Today detailed the Pentagon’s account of the incident and the broader strategic context of U.S.–Syria cooperation. The Hill Financial Times USA Today

Negotiations on the U.S.–U.K. technology‑focused trade pact have stalled after Washington paused commitments over Britain’s lagging progress on digital‑regulation reforms and food‑safety standards. The New York Times noted the pause’s impact on AI and nuclear collaboration, while the Boston Globe added that American officials view the delay as a response to perceived British inaction on trade‑barrier reductions. The NY Times bostonglobe.com

Minsk freed more than 120 detainees, including a Nobel laureate and prominent opposition figures, as Washington eased potash and other sanctions to improve diplomatic ties. The World Street Journal highlighted the symbolic nature of the releases, the New York Times linked them to a broader rapprochement strategy, and the Washington Post reported on the Kremlin’s reaction to the move. World Street Journal (International) The NY Times Washington Post (World)

The Israel Defense Forces announced the killing of Raed Saad, a senior Hamas operative, in Gaza, asserting the strike targeted the group’s weapons‑manufacturing network. Hamas condemned the attack as a breach of the October cease‑fire, raising fears of renewed hostilities. Coverage from the World Street Journal, the Washington Post, and the Financial Times underscored the delicate balance between tactical gains and diplomatic fallout. World Street Journal (International) Washington Post (World) Financial Times

The Pentagon unveiled a new press corps loyal to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, barring legacy outlets that refuse to sign restrictive reporting rules. The Intercept reported the administration’s claim that “legacy media chose to self‑deport,” signaling an escalating clash over First‑Amendment protections and government transparency. The Intercept

Republican leaders faced another setback as internal disagreements stalled efforts to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act, a perennial flashpoint in congressional debates. The Wall Street Journal detailed the party’s “recurring nightmare” of lacking a viable alternative, highlighting the political risk ahead of upcoming midterm elections. Wall Street Journal (politics)

Bitcoin has rebounded above $90,000, with analysts at the Financial Times identifying three cost‑basis metrics—yearly volume‑weighted average, the True Market Mean, and the average U.S. spot ETF price—converging near $81,000 to provide robust technical support. The alignment suggests that a broad swath of investors are likely to defend positions, reinforcing a structural bull‑market threshold. CoinDesk

Vanguard’s global head of quantitative equity, John Ameriks, dismissed Bitcoin as a “digital Labubu” collectible lacking income or cash‑flow, even as the firm opened its platform to crypto ETFs for its 50 million clients. The CoinDesk interview highlighted Vanguard’s cautious embrace of crypto products despite long‑standing skepticism, reflecting a broader industry shift toward regulated digital‑asset exposure. CoinDesk