Escalating tensions with Iran, soaring inflation, and looming Supreme Court decisions.

1. 1
   Foreign Policy

   U.S. and Iran Trade Strikes as Tensions Escalate

   The U.S. military launched a fresh round of strikes against Iranian targets after President Trump warned Tehran would 'pay the price' for stalled negotiations [1.2.7]. Regional air defense systems were activated, and the U.S. reportedly struck an Iranian cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman. The exchange marks a severe deterioration in the ongoing conflict following the downing of a U.S. helicopter.

2. 2
   Economy

   Inflation Hits Three-Year High Amid Iran Conflict

   Spiking energy prices driven by the ongoing conflict with Iran have pushed U.S. inflation to a three-year high of 4.2 percent annually. The Labor Department attributes over 60 percent of the increase directly to rising energy costs. President Trump has drawn mixed reactions, reportedly remarking that he 'loves the inflation' because it indicates the U.S. is taking out Iranian oil.

3. 3
   Congress

   FISA Expiration Looms as Trump Backs Pulte for DNI

   Congress faces a Friday deadline to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a critical spy power tool. Complicating matters, President Trump is resisting bipartisan calls to name a permanent Director of National Intelligence, sticking with his choice of Bill Pulte for the acting role. The House is expected to take up a last-minute extension in a likely-doomed vote.

4. 4
   Elections

   Senate Democrats Prepare for Potential Midterm Election Interference

   Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic senators are wargaming messaging strategies to counter potential election interference in the upcoming midterms. Lawmakers are raising concerns about misleading advertisements and deep-pocketed non-profits with ties to prominent election deniers. Democrats are planning legal and public relations responses to ensure local officials properly certify election results.

5. 5
   Judiciary

   Florida Supreme Court Upholds GOP-Drawn Congressional Map

   The Florida Supreme Court has ruled to keep the state's Republican-drawn congressional districts in place for the upcoming midterm elections. The justices rejected a push to block the new configuration, dealing a blow to voting rights advocates who challenged the map. A concurring opinion noted that plaintiffs will still have their day in court on the merits, but the current map will govern this election cycle.

6. 6
   Supreme Court

   High Court to Rule on Presidential Power and Federal Agencies

   The U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to issue major rulings in the coming weeks on the limits of presidential power over independent regulatory bodies. High-profile cases like Trump v. Slaughter and Trump v. Cook challenge the independence of the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve Board. The outcomes could fundamentally reshape how much oversight the White House has over impartial agencies.