2026-05-07
Rubio at Vatican, Trump meets Lula, Iran mulls peace deal.
Good afternoon. Diplomatic theater in motion. Rubio's Vatican visit comes as Trump feuds with Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. Meanwhile, Lula lands at the White House and Tehran sits on a US proposal to end the conflict.
Lunch Brief
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV early Thursday at 11:30 a.m. local time—days after Trump reignited his feud with the American-born pontiff over the Iran war.
President Trump welcomed Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a working visit Thursday. Economic and security matters are on the table.
A US court has unsealed what it identifies as Jeffrey Epstein's suicide note. The document is now public.
Israel killed a Hezbollah Radwan force commander in an airstrike on Beirut Wednesday—the first Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital since the ceasefire last month. Pressure on the agreement has risen.
California can meet fuel demand for six weeks with current supply, the state energy commission vice-chair said. Gas prices have risen above $6 per gallon.
President Trump predicted a quick resolution to the Iran conflict as Tehran considered a US peace proposal. Sources said the deal would formally end the war while leaving unresolved US demands on Iran's nuclear program and Strait of Hormuz reopening.
A top aide to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party was killed in the street in West Bengal after the BJP claimed legislative election victory. Hundreds were arrested as turmoil gripped the state.
President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign claimed two more senior officials. Both received suspended death sentences.
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- Iran's leaders meet; US peace deal awaits
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"Almost respectable. Use it cautiously."
"Below the radar. Statistically rare; enjoy it."
Three channels talking to Iran: a Secretary of State, a President, and silence from Tehran.
Back at 6:00 PM ET with the night owl brief.