Morning Brief - 2026-07-23

Today

It's clear and 17°C in Brooklyn right now, with warmer, overcast days ahead (16-26°C tomorrow, 16-27°C Saturday, both with almost no rain). The story most worth knowing: oil just crossed $100 a barrel for the first time since May, as the Middle East conflict escalates.

What happened

• Oil hit $100/barrel for the first time since May, with Brent crude up more than 6% Thursday as the Middle East war escalates. BBC
• The US imposed new tariffs on dozens of trading partners, citing forced labor concerns; they replace the temporary global duty put in after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs in February. BBC
• Trump said any US-brokered Saudi nuclear deal is contingent on Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel and joining the Abraham Accords (BBC), while separately the House passed a $1.15 trillion defense bill that would deepen US-Israel military ties (Al Jazeera). Different stories, same thread: Washington tying more of its foreign policy to Israel.
• Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, which helped galvanize the "Cockroach" youth protest movement now one of India's largest in years; organizers say they'll keep pressing on regardless. NPR

On this day

In 2010, four teenagers auditioning solo for The X Factor got put together as a group instead - and One Direction was born. Wikipedia