FirstStory Reports

From the Strait of Hormuz to the latest policy shifts in D.C., the world is moving faster than the 24 hour news cycle can handle. Most outlets tell you what happened. We tell you why it matters for your security, your wallet, and your future. Follow us and turn on notifications

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇮🇱🇱🇧 Israel and Lebanon have reportedly agreed to continue direct diplomatic engagement following rare face-to-face talks — the first of their kind in decades. The discussions mark a notable step toward sustained dialogue, with both sides committing to further meetings after the initial encounter.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 U.S. Vice President JD Vance has boarded Air Force Two en route to the University of Georgia, where he is scheduled to speak at a Turning Point USA event.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 President Donald Trump says he is working closely with House leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson and committee chairs Jim Jordan and Rick Crawford, to push for a “clean extension” of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) through the House this week.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇱🇧🇮🇱 The Israeli ambassador reportedly exited a rare Israel–Lebanon engagement and reiterated that Israel will not accept continued missile fire toward civilian areas. The comments came amid ongoing regional tensions, with reports of cross-border rocket fire from southern Lebanon toward northern Israel during the period of talks.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 The United States is set to allow a 30-day sanctions waiver on Iranian oil shipments to expire, tightening pressure on Tehran’s energy exports. The temporary measure previously permitted around 140 million barrels of Iranian crude to reach global markets in an effort to stabilise prices during recent supply disruptions. Officials now say the waiver will not be renewed, and buyers of Iranian oil could face renewed sanctions and secondary penalties as Washington moves back toward stricter enforcement. Source: Reuter

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has praised President Donald Trump’s approach toward Iran, saying it removes Tehran’s ability to pressure global economies through energy supply disruptions. Waltz said the administration’s actions have taken Iran’s “leverage” off the table and weakened its ability to hold international markets “hostage,” amid escalating tensions in the region.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇮🇱 Israel’s ambassador to the United States says Israel “will not allow a terror organisation to continue firing missiles into its population centres,” following talks in Washington, D.C. with U.S. officials and the Lebanese ambassador.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following her condemnation of his comments about the Pope. In a phone interview with Italian media, Trump said he was “shocked” by Meloni and accused her of not taking a tougher stance on Iran-related security concerns, escalating a growing diplomatic rift between the two leaders. Meloni had earlier described Trump’s remarks as “unacceptable,” prompting a direct and unusually forceful response from the former president.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has praised Argentine President Javier Milei, highlighting economic reforms and saying Argentina is beginning to see improvements in reserves and poverty indicators. He noted growing economic optimism in the country and pointed to support for Milei among younger voters and lower-income groups.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 U.S. officials say that in the first 24 hours of operations, no vessels have successfully passed through the restricted area in the Strait of Hormuz, as maritime enforcement measures continue.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 Marco Rubio has facilitated a rare round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, marking the first such engagement in decades. The meeting signals a potentially significant diplomatic moment, as efforts to ease long-standing tensions move back onto the table.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 Tucker Carlson says “those in power don’t want you to hear it, but Muslims have deep reverence for Jesus.”

🇮🇱🇱🇧 A rare moment captured: a Lebanese and an Israeli ambassador seated face-to-face on camera — a scene not witnessed in decades. Footage like this hasn’t been seen since the aftermath of the 1983 Israel–Lebanon Agreement. Whatever follows, this moment is already historic.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸 U.S. President Donald Trump says his administration is “more inclined” to move forward, according to comments given to the New York Post. Source: Al Jazeera

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇮🇹 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about Pope Leo XIV “unacceptable.”

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸🇮🇶 U.S. fighter jets are said to have intercepted and shot down Shahed-136 drones aimed at Kurdish military positions in Iraq. The incident highlights escalating aerial threats in the region, according to Middle East Spectator.

🇺🇸🇮🇷 Momentum is building toward a potential U.S.–Iran agreement, with optimism rising after Iran reportedly proposed a temporary pause to its nuclear program. Markets are reacting fast, with sentiment shifting sharply as hopes of a deal gain traction. However, negotiations remain unresolved, with key differences still in play despite signs of progress.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 U.S. Central Command says Iranian ports are effectively sealed off under a major U.S. military operation. More than 10,000 personnel, alongside warships and aircraft, have been deployed — with zero ships getting through in the first 24 hours and several turned back. The restrictions apply to all vessels heading to Iranian ports, regardless of nationality, while ships transiting to other destinations can still pass through the region. Source: CENTCOM

WATCH: The White House hosts Dutch royals King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima during an official visit.

NEWLY REPORTED: 🇺🇸🇬🇧 President Donald Trump claims the United Kingdom is refusing to open up North Sea oil fields, calling them “among the greatest in the world.”