United States

• ‘My Crazy Friend’: The Royals Who Stayed Close to Epstein - Emails, texts, photos and videos show how Jeffrey Epstein, even after becoming a convicted sex offender, burnished his ties to royal family members from several countries and their advisers.
• Oil slides in volatile trading as upcoming U.S.-Iran talks revive de-escalation hopes - Oil prices fell on Thursday after Washington and Tehran agreed to hold talks in Oman on Friday, even as differences persist over the scope of the discussions.
• David A. Ross Resigns from Art School After Epstein Email Release - David A. Ross said he remained “ashamed” for having been “taken in” by Jeffrey Epstein. Mr. Ross resigned his position at the School of Visual Arts in New York.
• Canada’s Tate McRae Roots for Team USA in New Olympics Ad - Tate McRae’s promotional video for NBC, in which she name checks Team USA athletes, has drawn the ire of some Canadians as the country’s relationship with the United States hits new lows.
• U.S. plans critical mineral price floors with Mexico, EU and Japan - The Trump administration has put critical minerals at the heart of its trade and industrial policies in an effort to reduce dependence on China.
• Oil prices jump on report that plans for U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are collapsing - President Trump has threatened to launch military strikes on Iran if the Islamic Republic doesn't agree to a deal on its nuclear program.
• Trump says India won't buy Russian oil anymore. Moscow insists India hasn't said that - Analysts are skeptical that India will stop buying Russian oil completely.
• Gold extends gains, breaking past $5,000; Asia stocks mostly track Wall Street losses on tech pullback - Asia-Pacific markets mostly fell, tracking Wall Street losses as a sell-off in U.S. technology stocks weighed on sentiment.
• House Republicans move toward reopening U.S. government - The government partially shut down Saturday morning after Congress failed to pass a six-bill package to fully fund the government.
• Ray Dalio warns the world is ‘on the brink’ of a capital war - The billionaire Bridgewater founder also weighed in on investing in gold after the metal was gripped by a sharp sell-off.