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Trump calls off latest threats to strike Iran. President Donald Trump said in the Oval Office Thursday that a deal to end the war is close, without giving details. Hours earlier, Mr. Trump threatened to launch major strikes on Iran and to seize control of its oil and gas industries as escalating attacks between the countries pushed the Middle East closer to full-scale war. The threats came after the U.S and Iran traded strikes for a second straight day. Trump has claimed multiple times the U.S. and Iran are on the verge of a peace deal. 鈥� The Associated Press
Our coverage: In threatening war and predicting peace, are Trump鈥檚 comments part of a strategy?

The European Union is set to implement new rules for asylum-seekers Friday. The European Union鈥檚 Migration and Asylum Pact marks the bloc鈥檚 biggest migration reform in decades. The reforms introduce faster border screening, new asylum procedures, and a mechanism to distribute responsibilities among member states. They follow years of political disputes over migration, spurred by conflict-driven arrivals in 2015-16 and Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Critics worry the pact could weaken asylum protections and increase detention at the EU鈥檚 external borders.

Test scores showed young students are improving in reading and math. Reading and math scores for 9-year-olds rose four points, according to results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The results, released Wednesday, compare with 2022 data. The gains are significant because 9-year-olds in the bottom 25%, who were in preschool before the pandemic, were among the lowest-performing students. Even so, only 37% of 9-year-olds and 14% of 13-year-olds reported reading for fun every day. Forty years ago, those figures were 53% and 35%, respectively. The report also found that 13-year-olds have not made significant gains in reading and math since 2023.

A Toronto police officer was shot during an investigation of an attack of a United States consulate. Located on a busy street in downtown Toronto, the consulate had been targeted in March when when two assailants fired multiple rounds at the tightly-secured building in the middle of the night. On Thursday an officer was killed during a police operation connected to that investigation. The incident comes as Toronto hosts FIFA World Cup events and security is heightened across the city.

Amazon deforestation fell by more than 60% last month compared with May 2025. Brazilian officials announced the gains on Thursday. While 143 square miles of the Amazon rainforest were still cleared, this marks the lowest recorded clearing ever for the month of May, a time that typically sees higher deforestation rates as the start of the dry season. While Amazon deforestation declined 36% between 2025 and 2026, the number of wildfires in 2026 has increased. Brazil has a goal of zero deforestation by 2030.

The first lady launched a financial security initiative for foster children. Fostering the Future Accounts expands on 鈥淭rump Accounts,鈥� which offer a $1,000 incentive to parents to open a tax-advantaged investment tool for newborn children. The new initiative, announced by first lady Melania Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, enables child welfare agencies to open Trump Accounts on behalf of foster kids. The goal is to help them enter adulthood on a secure financial footing. Governors in 23 states have pledged to open Fostering the Future Accounts. Urging other governors to join the initiative, Mrs. Trump said, 鈥淟et鈥檚 elevate America鈥檚 children above politics.鈥�

鈥� Compiled by Monitor writers around the world

The world has watched as President Donald Trump vacillates between promises that peace is near in Iran and threats of renewed war. No one bears the cost of that uncertainty more than Iranians.

A central issue in protests over the murder of Henry Nowak in England has been 鈥渢wo-tiered policing,鈥� in which authorities favor minorities and liberal politics. But the data doesn鈥檛 bear that out.

A recent wave of global Gen Z protests has shown it鈥檚 possible to translate online outrage into real-world change. Now, the Cockroach Janta Party 鈥� a popular social media page that tapped into a deep reservoir of frustration among young Indians 鈥� is trying to bring its followers into the streets.

Investment is pouring into improving general-purpose humanoid robots. Their arrival could allow a new stage of automation that would not be limited to large-scale, specially outfitted factories.

With swooping, poetic prose and vivid watercolors, 鈥淭he Book of Birds鈥� offers an introduction to what writer Robert Macfarlane calls 鈥渢he seven wonders of birds鈥�: nests, eggs, beaks, songs, feathers, flight, and migration. The field guide conveys not only wonder but also concern over the plight of many species.

Even if you can鈥檛 tell a layup from a laces drive, it鈥檚 unlikely you鈥檝e escaped the buzz and anticipation around two major sporting events this week 鈥� the championship series of the National Basketball Association and the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Right now, it鈥檚 fair to say that American sports fans are less focused on 鈥渢he beautiful game鈥� and more intent on the matchup between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Devoted fans, as well as casual observers, have been impressed by the athleticism and on-court skills of players from both teams. But, throughout the season, they鈥檝e also been touched by something more: the consistent qualities of character that the players express, such as unity, determination, humility, and care for others.

The Knicks, for instance, do 鈥渘ot fit the caricature of New Yorkers ... as self-obsessed, grasping, indifferent,鈥� The Economist observes. Instead, they are being 鈥渃elebrated for some less-recognised qualities of New Yorkers ... decency, playfulness and generosity towards each other.鈥�

In the Big Apple, thousands of residents and visitors have congregated around big screens in pubs, parks, and streets for community watch parties. Many shared with the media their sense of joy and inclusion at these events. 鈥淓veryone is just happy. ... There鈥檚 so much love,鈥� in the words of one.

鈥淚t feels like the transformation of the world鈥檚 greatest city into the world鈥檚 greatest small town,鈥� Mayor Zohran Mamdani commented to The Athletic. 鈥淲e [are] all thinking about the same thing鈥� 鈥� a longed-for championship for the Knicks, who last won in 1973.

The series heads to San Antonio for Game 5 on Saturday, with the Knicks leading 3-1. Whatever the outcome, that city鈥檚 1.5 million residents might also enjoy a similar small-town sense of community spirit and cohesion. That鈥檚 because both teams express 鈥渦plifting ... behaviors and attitudes,鈥� according to Jeremi Suri, a basketball fan and professor of politics at the University of Texas at Austin.

In a recent Substack post, 鈥淭he Knicks and Spurs Show Us a Better America,鈥� Dr. Suri wrote that the athletes show they 鈥渃are about something larger than themselves.鈥�

At a time when many Americans feel socially disconnected and cynical, he continued, the players are 鈥渘eeded role models. ... Young men with purpose, with healthy relationships, with belief in themselves and others.鈥�

Of course, these highly paid professional athletes are also highly competitive. They play to win. So, things might get heated on court, with some trash talk and fouls. Still, whether through charitable work (New York鈥檚 Jalen Brunson), a proclivity for quiet introspection (San Antonio鈥檚 Victor Wembanyama), or religious observance (New York鈥檚 Karl-Anthony Towns), they also teach fans about wins beyond the scoreboard.

At this point, it seems right to cheer: Go Knicks! Go Spurs!