GOP sends tough message to lawmakers considering ditching Trump ahead of midterms  —  The Republican National Committee is issuing a warning to rank-and-file lawmakers up for reelection who are considering shying away from President Trump during the campaign: do so at your own peril.

Time Is No Longer on Iran's Side in the Battle of the Blockades  —  The U.S. is helping Gulf states move significant amounts of oil out of the region while thwarting Tehran's shipments  —  DUBAI—By squeezing the Strait of Hormuz, both the U.S. and Iran expected to outlast their foe, believing time would work in their favor.

U.S. attacks 3 Iranian tankers in tit-for-tat response  —  U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers Saturday after Iran fired ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy warships, U.S. Central Command said. … - A U.S. official told Axios this week it had a new “tanker-for-tanker” policy approved by President Trump.

The U.N. backed a map that shows Africa true to size.  The U.S. was sole objector.  —  The U.S. was the only country to vote against the U.N. resolution, which encourages the use of an “Equal Earth” map.  The U.S. described it as a “radical ideological project.”  —  Summary

Putin begins talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on ending war with Ukraine  —  Moscow and Kyiv vow not to strike each other's capitals for three days during negotiations  —  Russian president Vladimir Putin began talks with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on ending …