May 5, 2026
Endorsement, Election, and Renewed Fighting
Good morning, everyone!
If you missed it, be sure to check out the latest edition of Last Week in History:
And, if you are on Instagram, check out Everything Briefingâs page for more historical content.
Today, we will look at U.S. politics, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and other developments unfolding across the globe.
Letâs get to it.
United States
-The average U.S. gas price stood at $4.45 yesterday amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to AAA.
-The Supreme Court temporarily restored the ability to receive the abortion drug Mifepristone by mail yesterday.
-The White House Counselâs Office is prepping staff for the prospect of a Democratic Congress next year, according to The Washington Post.
-House ethics officials investigated Democratic Congressman Jim Costa over two sexual misconduct allegations, according to NOTUS.
-Republicans are seeking to flip Democratic Senator Jon Fetterman, according to Politico.
-President Donald Trump endorsed Andy Barr in the Republican primary to replace retiring Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell.
-Former President Joe Biden made his second endorsement in under a week yesterday, backing Dan Kohâs bid for Massachusettsâ 6th congressional district.
-Former President Barack Obama sat for a wide-ranging interview with The New Yorker.
Read it here.
-Some Democratic officials are looking to oust party chair Ken Martin, according to The Bulwark.
-The federal debt now exceeds the size of the U.S. economy for the first time.
-Clarence Thomas is set to become the second-longest-serving Supreme Court Justice in history this week.
-Author Robert Caro sat for an interview with C-SPAN, where he answered questions about the highly-anticipated fifth volume of his series on President Lyndon Johnson.
Listen to it here:
-Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine are expected to hold a press conference on the situation in the Middle East today at the Pentagon.
-Indiana and Ohio will hold statewide primary elections today.
-CNN will host a California gubernatorial debate tonight at 9:00 P.M. EST.
-On this day in 1961, Alan Shepard became the second person and the first American in space.
In 2015, President Obama nominated Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford to be the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Other Links:
Wall Street falls from its records and oil prices jump after fighting flares in the Middle East - AP
Alabama and Tennessee governors have called special legislative sessions to draw new congressional districts - PBS
Secret Service says suspect opened fire on them and was shot in exchange near Washington Monument - AP
Rudy Giuliani in critical condition, recovering from pneumonia, spokesman says - The Washington Post
Former Miami Congressman David Rivera is convicted of secretly lobbying for Maduroâs Venezuela - AP
Africa
-Taiwanese President William Lai made a surprise visit to Eswatini over the weekend in an unannounced trip that outraged China.
Eswatini is one of the 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and the only one in Africa.
Last month, Lai canceled plans to travel to the southern African country after several nationsâSeychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascarârevoked overflight clearances out of fear of backlash from Beijing.
Lai had planned a trip to the country to coincide with the 40th anniversary of King Mswati IIIâs accession.
Mswati, who became the youngest ruling monarch in the world at the time in 1986, attended Laiâs inauguration in 2024, marking his 19th visit to the self-governing island.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has pledged to bring it under its control by force if necessary. Beijing also views Lai and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as separatists and has frequently moved to punish countries that interact with it.
In response to Laiâs visit, China called him a âratâ who had âskulkedâ his way to the African kingdom.
-On this day in 2005, President George W. Bush hosted Nigerian President and Chairman of the African Union Olusegun Obasanjo in the Oval Office for talks.
In 2015, John Kerry became the first sitting U.S. Secretary of State to visit Somalia.
The surprise visit came as Washington sought to support Mogadishu in its battle against al-Shabab.
Other Links:
Sudanese military downs drone launched by paramilitary forces at the main airport, officials say - AP
At least 130 Nigerians seek repatriation from South Africa after protests, Abuja says - Reuters
Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso quit ADC and join NDC in major Nigerian political shake-up - BBC
A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic kills 3 people - AP
New housing design reduces disease rates in Tanzania - Semafor
Americas and the Caribbean
-In remarks at the European Political Community in Armenia yesterday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the continent would not submit to an âinsular and brutal world,â a veiled criticism of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.
He added, âEurope will rebuild world order.â
View his full remarks here:
Carneyâs appearance marks the first time a non-European has participated in the continental gathering.
His attendance comes as Ottawa seeks to diversify its economic and security ties away from the United States amid tensions with the Trump administration.
-Brazilian President Luiz InĂĄcio Lula da Silva is set to travel to the United States in the coming days for talks with President Trump, according to Reuters.
The meeting between the two leaders will come amid deteriorating bilateral relations between Washington and BrasĂlia, which have slid since Trump returned to office last year.
Trump has consistently criticized Brazil for the detention of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year prison term for his efforts to remain in office following his 2022 election defeat to Lula.
Trump has demanded his release, calling his prosecution a âwitch huntâ and has threatened to levy tariffs on the country in retaliation for his imprisonment.
Trump and Lula last met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of a regional summit, with both leaders expressing a willingness to ease tensions.
-On this day in 2002, former Bolivian leader Hugo SuĂĄrez died at the age of 75.
SuĂĄrez led a coup that toppled the government of leftist President Juan JosĂŠ Torres in 1971, and would lead the Andean nation until 1978âa period marred by widespread domestic oppression and human rights abuses.
He would return to power in 1997 after years in exile, rebranding himself as a democratic reformer.
Other Links:
Argentinaâs Milei restores press access to presidency after a ban sparks backlash - AP
Guyana and Venezuela return to UN court to settle historic dispute over valuable border region - AP
Power suppliers hesitate as Venezuela seeks grid repairs without payment guarantees - Reuters
Cuba condemns new US sanctions as âillegalâ and âabusiveâ - BBC
Monster Truck Drives Into Crowd in Colombia, Killing 3 - The New York Times
Asia/Indo-Pacific
-President Trump called on South Korea to join Washingtonâs campaign against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz after a South Korean cargo ship was attacked in the strategic waterway.
Before conflict broke out in the region in February, South Korea relied on the Strait for nearly 70% of its total oil supplies.
-Australia and Japan agreed to boost their cooperation on securing critical minerals yesterday as part of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichiâs state visit to the Pacific island nation.
On the same day, Japan and Indonesia inked a defense cooperation agreement.
-On this day in 1986, leaders of the Group of 7 (G7) met in Tokyo, Japan.
Other Links:
U.S. Warns China Over Iranian Oil as Sanctions Fight Intensifies - The New York Times
Modiâs party takes control of Indiaâs West Bengal in key state election - AP
Australia begins hearings into Bondi Beach attack and rising antisemitism - Reuters
China, Philippines trade accusations over South China Sea - Reuters
North Korean womenâs soccer club to make rare visit to South Korea for match - Reuters
Europe
-Russia and Ukraine announced yesterday they would observe a two-month ceasefire on May 8-9 for commemorations of the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II.
-The security around Russian President Vladimir Putin has been tightened as the Kremlin fears coup and assassination attempts against the longtime leader, according to CNN.
Putin has ruled the country with an iron fist since 2000.
-European leaders are viewing President Trumpâs troop drawdown from Germany as further proof of a deteriorating Western security alliance.
-On this day in 1818, Karl Marx was born in modern-day Germany.
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter met with British Prime Minister James Callaghan at 10 Downing Street.
In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that COVID-19 was no longer a global health emergency.
Other Links:
Ukrainian drone hits upmarket Moscow high-rise ahead of Victory Day celebrations - BBC
Russia intensifies drone attacks on ports, Ukraine says - Reuters
Merz plays down US military withdrawal plans - DW
Austria expels 3 Russian Embassy staff over suspected antenna spying in Vienna - AP
A driver plows into people in a shopping area in Germany, killing 2 - AP
Middle East
-The ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran faltered yesterday after President Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to begin escorting oil vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to reopen the strategic waterway.
Shortly after the U.S. launched the mission, called âProject Freedom,â the U.S. military said it had destroyed six Iranian military ships and intercepted missiles and drones fired by Tehran.
Iran said it had struck a U.S. warship, though Washington denied the claim.
In an interview on Fox News yesterday, Trump said that Iranian warships would be âblown off the face of the Earthâ if they targeted U.S. ships.
Separately, the United Arab Emirates reported several Iranian drone and missile attacks.
-The U.S. State Department has fast-tracked arms deals for several of Washingtonâs Middle East partners.
-On this day in 1986, Syrian President Hafez al-Assad visited neighboring Jordan, marking his first visit to the country in nine years amid a thaw in relations.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II arrived in Syria for a three-day visit, marking the first time a pontiff had visited the country.
In 2009, President Obama hosted Israeli President Shimon Peres to discuss the Middle East peace process and Iranâs nuclear program.
Peres served two stints as prime minister during his long career in public office, including in the immediate aftermath of Yitzhak Rabinâs assassination in 1995.
Altogether, Peres served in twelve cabinets and represented five political parties over the course of his 70 years in Israeli politics.
During his time as foreign minister in the 1990s, Peres helped negotiate the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians and the Israel-Jordan peace treaty, winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts, alongside Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Other Links:
US, Gulf Arab nations draft new UN resolution on Strait of Hormuz - Reuters
IDF at âhigh readinessâ as Trump says Iran to be âblown off the face of the earthâ if it hits US ships - The Times of Israel
Israeli attacks kill dozens within days in Lebanon despite ceasefire - BBC
Israeli minister celebrates birthday with noose-themed cake - CNN
Abu Dhabiâs Adnoc to Spend $55 Billion in Domestic Manufacturing Push - The Wall Street Journal
Thatâs all for today. See you tomorrow.
Seeing here how well previous presidents got along with so many really emphasizes trumps lack of that ability.
The Clarence Thomas tenure note alongside the global flashpoints was a smart touch â it quietly reminds us how institutional memory and long service shape power in ways we often overlook. Keeps the briefing grounded while connecting the dots.