Politics

• Russia Threatens Armenia Over Membership in CSTO Military Bloc
  Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Armenia may have to forfeit membership rights in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, an alliance of six former Soviet states, as tensions between Moscow and Yerevan continue to rise.
• Billionaire Steyer Spends $215 Million in Failed Bid for California Governor
  Tom Steyer, the hedge fund billionaire turned climate activist, has committed to giving away his money. Over the past seven months, he pared down his vast fortune by spending more than $215 million on an unsuccessful bid for California governor.
• UK Unrest Highlights Elon Musk’s Role in Anti-Migrant Protests
  While Elon Musk prepares for SpaceX’s initial public offering this week — poised to be the biggest ever — he’s also been keeping up a politically-charged side hustle: fomenting far-right protests in the UK.
• Campbell and Rees-Mogg Clash on Everything But a New Brexit Vote
  Alastair Campbell and Jacob Rees-Moog share little common ground on Britain’s decision to leave the European Union a decade ago — except both agree a second vote to join is unlikely in the near future.
• Screwworm Outbreak Isn’t Threat to Food Supply, Agriculture Secretary Says
  Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins sought to reassure senators Wednesday that the recent screwworm outbreak is under control and not a threat to the country’s food supply.
• Trump Signs $70 Billion Measure to Fund Immigration Crackdown
  President Donald Trump signed a $70 billion package that fully funds immigration enforcement for the rest of his term, capping off a fight with dissident Republicans over a payout fund for political allies.
• UK Treasury Resists Defense Spending Push in 11th-Hour Talks
  The UK Treasury continues to resist a push to speed up an increase in defense spending, just days out from unveiling the country’s long-delayed military investment plan.
• Lula Widens His Lead Over Flávio Bolsonaro Ahead of Vote
  President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva widened his lead over Senator Flávio Bolsonaro after the challenger was embroiled in a corruption scandal and the US increased pressure on Brazil ahead of October’s election, a new poll showed.
• Hegseth Plans Trip to Guantanamo Bay Amid US-Cuba Tensions
  Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will travel to the US Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Wednesday as the Trump administration continues to demand drastic reforms by the communist government in Havana.
• German Coalition to Take Up Tax Relief as Reform Deadline Nears
  Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition will attempt to overcome deep differences over a sweeping reform agenda in talks Wednesday as parties turn to a plan for a broad tax cut alongside potential hikes for higher earners.
• Iran Censured by Nuclear Watchdog Over Missing Uranium Stockpile
  The United Nations nuclear watchdog censured Iran over failing to account for its stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium, potentially escalating its military confrontation and diplomatic standoff with the Trump administration.
• Trump, Modi Likely to Have First Meeting Since Pakistan Spat
  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely meet US President Donald Trump at the Group of Seven leaders’ summit next week, officials in New Delhi familiar with the matter said, their first face-to-face engagement since a fallout over Pakistan a year ago.
• Trump Vows Immediate Attacks on Iran, Straining Ceasefire
  US President Donald Trump pledged fresh strikes on Iran after accusing the country of dragging out talks on an interim peace deal, putting further strain on a fragile two-month truce.
• CFTC Floats Prediction Market Rule to Crack Down on War Bets
  The Commodity Futures Trading Commission unveiled a proposal for prediction markets Wednesday that would crack down on bets related to war, terrorism and assassination.