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Banksy confirms central London statue is his work
The sculpture of a suited man stepping off a plinth with a flag over his face appeared at Waterloo Place and has drawn growing crowds
USS Gerald R. Ford expected to leave Middle East as Iran war costs rise
A U.S. official confirmed the carrier strike group is expected to head home in the coming days, while a Pentagon official put the war’s cost so far at about $25 billion
Pentagon puts Iran war cost at $25B as lawmakers question the real bill
Defense officials say the figure mainly covers munitions and operational costs; Democrats and economists argue fuel, food, repairs and long-term obligations could push the total far higher
ECB holds key rate at 2% as energy shock lifts inflation
The central bank kept policy steady Thursday but warned that inflation risks and growth risks have both intensified as the war in the Middle East pushes up energy costs
King Charles’ U.S. visit tests whether pageantry can ease alliance strains
The king and Queen Camilla moved from Washington ceremonies to New York, with Virginia events next, as officials look for signs that royal soft power can steady a tense U.S.-U.K. relationship
Fed holds rates steady as inflation pressures persist
The central bank kept its benchmark rate at 3.5% to 3.75%, but an 8-4 vote showed rare internal division over how to frame possible future cuts
Why Trump’s Iran blockade may not break Tehran’s oil industry this week
Analysts say Iran has enough storage to avoid the immediate field damage Trump warned about, even as the blockade squeezes revenue and drives up oil prices
Israel intercepts Gaza flotilla near Crete, detains about 175 activists
The Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli forces seized aid boats in international waters; Israel said it acted lawfully to enforce its Gaza naval blockade
State Department rebukes Wendy Sherman after Trump Iran criticism
The former Obama Iran negotiator said Trump lacks a strategy; a department spokesperson answered that she has “no credibility” on Tehran
FDA proposal would curb bulk compounding of Novo, Lilly weight-loss drugs
The agency says it sees no clinical need for outsourcing facilities to make bulk compounded versions of semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide when approved drugs are available