Quick Hits

• Iran diplomacy in flux: President Trump claimed negotiations with Iran are underway, calling them Tehran's "last chance," while Iranian officials denied any talks. Oil prices fell and U.S. stocks approached record highs on the news, according to Al Jazeera.

• Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 6,000: National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez confirmed 6,125 deaths as government response faces intensifying scrutiny.

• 25 states sue Trump administration over tariffs: The states argue the new levies are a pretext to re-impose tariffs previously ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court, Al Jazeera reports.

• Minnesota water systems cyberattack reveals national vulnerability: State and federal authorities are investigating coordinated cyberattacks on municipal water systems that disrupted technology controls at water towers and treatment plants, MPR News reports.

• Gaza violence intensifies post-disarmament deal: Israeli strikes killed dozens in Gaza in the days following a U.S.-brokered agreement described as a breakthrough, with Israel's Board of Peace stating no withdrawal will occur before Hamas disarms.

Top Stories

Iran Conflict and Diplomatic Uncertainty President Trump stated that talks with Iran are under way and warned they represent Tehran's "last chance" to secure a deal, Al Jazeera reports. Iran has denied that any negotiations are taking place. Qatar confirmed diplomatic efforts are ongoing after a vessel was hit in the Strait of Hormuz. The conflicting accounts from Washington and Tehran left the status of potential diplomacy unclear. Benchmark S&P 500 approached an all-time peak and oil prices fell on the news.

Venezuela Earthquake Aftermath The confirmed death toll from Venezuela's earthquakes has reached 6,125, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. The government's disaster response is facing mounting scrutiny as the scale of the devastation becomes clearer, Al Jazeera reports.

States Challenge Trump Tariffs Twenty-five states have filed suit against the Trump administration over new tariffs on trading partners. The states claim the levies serve as a pretext to re-impose tariffs that the U.S. Supreme Court previously ruled illegal, according to Al Jazeera.

Washington Wildfires Bodycam footage from firefighters in Spokane shows the speed required to combat blazes sweeping through the northwestern U.S. Al Jazeera reports that Washington is facing a major fire crisis, with fires spreading rapidly through the region.

Left Perspective

Immigration Enforcement Targeting Protesters MPR News reports on Treasure Thoreson, a Minneapolis protester charged with conspiracy alongside others, who had ICE agents show up at her door after she participated in protests against ICE raids. Separately, Al Jazeera reports that a Salvadoran man died in ICE custody at a New Jersey detention center — the second death at Delaney Hall in eight months — prompting demands to close the facility.

Minnesota Water Systems Cyberattack A coordinated cyberattack on Minnesota municipal water systems disrupted technology controls at water towers and treatment plants, MPR News reports. State and federal authorities continue to investigate what the outlet describes as exposing broader U.S. vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

State-Level Prosecution of Vance Boelter Convicted killer Vance Boelter appeared in a Hennepin County courtroom to face state charges for the murder of former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. Boelter, 59, is already facing federal charges. MPR News reports the state prosecution is moving forward.

Minnesota Primaries Eleven Minnesota lawmakers face primary challenges, MPR News reports. In the State Auditor race, GOP candidates Scott Jensen and Nate George are battling for the party's nomination in a contest the outlet notes is often overlooked by voters.

International View

Gaza: Disarmament Deal and Escalating Violence A U.S.-brokered agreement on Hamas disarmament was billed as a breakthrough, but Al Jazeera reports that Israeli strikes on Gaza only intensified in the days following the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Board of Peace director Nicholas Mladenov amid tensions over the disarmament roadmap. The Board of Peace stated there will be no Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas disarms.

Colombia Transition Clouded by Fraud Claims Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro repeated allegations of vote fraud days before handing over power, accusing programmers of altering vote counts and claiming metadata tied to election results was hidden from review, Al Jazeera reports.

Japan Earthquake Aftermath A Japanese company admitted that two workers who died in a quake-hit shopping mall explosion had been sent inside to retrieve cash, Al Jazeera reports. The deaths followed powerful earthquakes that struck the region.

Cuba Blockade Escalation Trump escalated restrictions on Havana, warning that Cuba remains a "threat to national security." Al Jazeera examines whether the blockade makes America safer.

Underreported

Women's Professional Baseball League Debuts The Women's Professional Baseball League made its debut at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield despite rainy conditions, drawing an enthusiastic crowd. MPR News reports fans arrived hours before the first game.

Minnesota Raises Kratom Purchase Age to 21 A new Minnesota law raises the legal age to buy kratom from 18 to 21 — the state's first major step toward regulating a substance widely available in gas stations and smoke shops, according to MPR News.

SummerSlam Economic Impact Tourism officials estimate WWE's SummerSlam brought in $100 million for Minneapolis businesses, which MPR News notes could help offset winter losses tied to federal immigration enforcement operations.

Pearson's Candy Company Closing Former employees reflected on their time at Pearson's Candy Company after news of its shutdown. Traci Travis told MPR News her phone was "inundated with calls" from family members when they heard.

Sources

MPR News, Al Jazeera, Tangle, AllSides