Escalating Middle East tensions, election commission firings, and an urgent tax deadline top today's news.

1. 1
   Foreign Policy

   U.S.-Iran Airstrikes Threaten Ceasefire

   Intensifying airstrikes between the United States and Iran are threatening an interim ceasefire agreement in the Middle East. Senate Democrats have condemned the strikes, accusing the administration of illegally restarting an unauthorized war.

2. 2
   Elections

   Backlash Over Election Commission Firings

   President Trump is facing intense criticism after firing the final members of an election commission, sparking fears of chaos ahead of the midterms. Advocates and politicians have called the dismissals "irresponsible and dangerous," accusing the administration of attempting to interfere with the upcoming elections.

3. 3
   Executive Branch

   White House Proposes Limiting Federal Grants

   The Office of Management and Budget has introduced sweeping new rules to restrict federal funding to programs that advance presidential policies. Moderate Republicans like Senator Susan Collins are demanding the withdrawal of the proposal, citing harm to rural communities and research.

4. 4
   Immigration

   Push to Extend Protected Status for Salvadorans

   Following a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows the administration to cancel Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and Syria, advocates are urging Homeland Security to renew TPS for Salvadorans. Representative Tom Suozzi warned that expiring the status in September would devastate communities.

5. 5
   Campaign Strategy

   Trump Amplifies 'Communist' Attacks Ahead of Midterms

   Following the NATO summit in Turkey, President Trump repeated his midterm campaign strategy of labeling Democrats as "communists." He described the ideology as the greatest threat since the nation's founding during a recent press conference.

6. 6
   IRS

   Final Day for COVID-19 Disaster Relief Tax Refunds

   Today, July 10, marks the final deadline for millions of taxpayers to claim IRS refunds related to COVID-era penalties and interest. A federal judge previously ruled the IRS should have suspended deadlines during the pandemic disaster declaration.