Bloomberg

Former Deputy National Security Adviser Victoria Coates says sustained economic pressure, combined with targeted military action, offers the best chance of forcing Iran back to negotiations, arguing the country's worsening economy is becoming the regime's greatest vulnerability. She also says President Donald Trump's flexible approach to foreign policy allows him to adapt quickly to changing battlefield dynamics, pointing to Ukraine's military gains as a factor reshaping US engagement with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Trump says tariffs will rebuild American manufacturing, shrink the deficit, and strengthen America's hand against China. But after court challenges and months of new data, have they delivered? Steven Rattner of Willett Advisors breaks down what's actually happened, and what it means for investors, businesses, and the US economy.

Midcoast Villager Deputy Editor Alex Seitz-Wald says Maine Democrats quickly coalesce behind Troy Jackson after Graham Platner's withdrawal, allowing the party to move past a chaotic primary and shift its focus to challenging Sen. Susan Collins. He says Jackson now faces the task of introducing himself to voters and donors while Republicans seek to tie him to Platner's scandals in one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races.

The White House has announced additional 50% tariffs on nearly $20 billion in Canadian imports, including dairy products, beer, hockey sticks and plywood, while exempting energy and potash. Former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says the move undermines the USMCA and argues Canada still has leverage as a major US export market and a supplier of energy, aluminum and potash, particularly as conflict near the Strait of Hormuz pressures global fertilizer markets.

Bloomberg's Courtney Subramanian and Lisa Odenheimer say the Trump administration is using a pause in military strikes to push Iran back toward negotiations while warning that all options remain on the table if attacks continue in the Strait of Hormuz or against US allies. They say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington and meetings surrounding Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral are expected to focus on Iran, regional security and the future of the proposed US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement.

Grad PLUS loans were created in 2006, allowing graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance. Total borrowing rose from about $2 billion in the program's first year to over $15 billion in 2024 25, but beginning July 1, 2026, new borrowers will face annual loan caps, leaving a funding gap for students and universities alike. Supporters say the limits will curb overborrowing and tuition growth; critics warn they could push students toward private loans and reduce access to lower-paying fields.

Africa's data centers industry is expanding rapidly as demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, online banking and digital services accelerates. Reliable electricity remains the biggest challenge and here's how companies are building the infrastructure to power the continent's digital future as governments push for local data storage and a stronger digital economy.

Karen Young, senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, says the proposed US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement reflects broader geopolitical competition but continues to raise questions over uranium enrichment, safeguards and regional security. She says energy markets should expect prolonged volatility as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea threaten exports, inventories remain depleted and negotiations with Iran show little sign of producing a lasting resolution.

University of Pennsylvania classics professor Emily Wilson says Christopher Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey is introducing a new generation to Homer, driving a surge in book sales, library checkouts and interest in studying the classics. Wilson says diverse audiences and fresh perspectives continue to enrich the interpretation of ancient texts, while emphasizing that every translation begins with the original Greek rather than previous English versions.

New York Times Kyiv Bureau Chief Andrew Kramer says next week's expected US-backed talks offer a chance to restart stalled negotiations, but major disagreements over control of the Donbas region continue to block progress. He says Ukraine's expanding drone campaign inside Russia and shifting battlefield momentum are strengthening Kyiv's position, while President Donald Trump's increasingly supportive tone reflects changing political and military realities.