The House is set to vote on a short-term extension of Section 702, but Democratic opposition over Bill Pulte’s appointment as acting intelligence chief could doom the measure. Lawmakers remain divided over civil liberties, national security and what happens if the authority expires Friday.
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Vice President JD Vance said the United States is “very close” to a long-term nuclear deal with Iran, though an agreement could come next week or months from now. His comments came as tensions rose after an Apache helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. forces reportedly launched retaliatory strikes.
A push to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act has stalled after President Trump named Bill Pulte acting director of national intelligence. Democrats and some Republicans say Pulte lacks the qualifications for the role and are pressing for a permanent nominee.
Iran’s World Cup team has left Turkey for Mexico while several officials and staff remain without U.S. visas, Iranian officials said. U.S. officials say all players and necessary support staff have been cleared, while some applicants were rejected over security concerns.
Downing Street accused unnamed figures of interfering in British democracy after JD Vance linked Henry Nowak’s murder to mass migration. The prime minister’s office said Nowak’s family had asked that his death not be used to create division.
The United States sanctioned Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife and relatives of Raúl Castro as Washington intensifies pressure on Havana. The measures come as Cuba faces severe blackouts, food and medicine shortages, and rising tensions with the Trump administration.
Trump said Bill Pulte will serve only temporarily as acting director of national intelligence after the appointment drew Republican criticism over his lack of intelligence experience. The president defended Pulte as smart and said the administration is interviewing other candidates.
Israeli strikes killed at least nine people in Lebanon, including two paramedics and a soldier, while Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel. The violence strained a U.S.-mediated partial ceasefire as Israeli and Lebanese negotiators met in Washington.