President Trump’s plan to end the Iran war by declaring victory if Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz faced disruption after Iran demanded billions in reparations and a U.S. troop withdrawal. This hardline shift complicates negotiations ahead of the midterms, narrowing Washington’s options. Separately, a luxury development in Albania backed by Jared Kushner sparked protests and a criminal probe.

A Miami-based businessman allegedly laundered cocaine money and forged deeds to sell coastal land for €110 million ($125 million), facing organized-crime investigations. Despite this, S&P 500 stocks rose as 86% of reporting companies beat earnings estimates, though concerns linger over reliance on tech giants and inflation. Auto insurers failed to pay 45% of liability claims last year, up from a decade ago.

Meanwhile, 72,000 people illegally entered Ceuta, Spain, with authorities attributing it to social media-driven spontaneity rather than foreign orchestration.