Politics & World Affairs — August 5, 2026

Edwards ends reelection bid. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) dropped his reelection campaign after a House Ethics Committee report detailed sexual harassment claims and recommended censure.

Washington Examiner · Read more →

FBI builds ties with rivals. FBI Director Kash Patel said he has forged new law enforcement partnerships with China and Russia over the past year to combat transnational crime.

Reuters characterized the arrangement as an unprecedented shift, given that Washington has long treated both countries as adversaries rather than security partners. Patel said the outreach developed over the past year and is aimed specifically at transnational crime, though the report did not detail which cases or criminal networks the cooperation has targeted, or how information sharing with Beijing and Moscow would be structured.

Reuters · Read more →

U.S. nears Hormuz agreement. The US, Iran and Oman are reportedly closing in on an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with the White House targeting a Wednesday announcement.

Axios attributed the report to regional sources and a U.S. official, noting the arrangement under discussion is an interim deal rather than a final settlement. Oman's role as a third party in the talks suggests it is serving as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran. The Wednesday timeline reflects the White House's target, though the report did not specify what terms remain unresolved before an announcement.

Axios · Read more →

Russian barrage kills 17 near Kyiv. Russia launched 29 missiles and 115 drones at the Kyiv region overnight, killing 17 people and wounding 44 as Ukraine's missile interceptor stocks run low.

Russia's defense ministry said the strikes targeted logistics hubs around the capital, according to the BBC. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky countered that civilian deaths could have been prevented if Ukraine had more interceptor missiles, saying depleted air defense stocks left residents exposed. The exchange underscores Kyiv's warnings that its ability to shield population centers is eroding as large combined missile and drone barrages continue.

BBC World · Read more →