## US says it has agreed to 'stand down' after exchange of strikes with Iran

Authored by bbc.co.uk

The US and Iran have agreed to "stand down" following an exchange of strikes over the past few days, media reports cite a US official as saying.

It comes after several attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with both nations accusing each other of violating their ceasefire.

On Monday, Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi denied that there were plans for technical talks this week.

But US President Donald Trump said a meeting would be held in Qatar's capital at Iran's request.

As part of the MoU, Iran agreed to use its "best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days".

But the ceasefire agreed less than two weeks ago has been under threat in recent days because of renewed attacks by both sides.

Strikes resumed on Thursday after an Iranian projectile hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. »

### Michigan House passes bill to let children run lemonade stands without permits or fees

Authored by cbsnews.com

The bill was unanimously passed by the House on Thursday and referred to the Senate.

"Children from our community initially brought this issue to my attention when their local health department demanded that they pay repeated fees to run their lemonade stand," Cavitt said.

Cavitt explained that oversight of lemonade stands varies by local jurisdiction, and some health departments require permits and/or licensing fees for those small operations. »

### Hegseth has ‘undermined’ the US military, says Republican on Armed Services Committee

Authored by the-independent.com

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing heat from a key House Republican as he continues reshaping the Pentagon to fit Donald Trump’s agenda.

The criticism comes as the administration tries to wrap up a war with Iran that the president’s critics are calling a tactical defeat.

George previously served as an aide to Joe Biden’s defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, and had reportedly clashed with Hegseth for months. »

### Mamdani embraces GOP making him ‘poster child’ of Democratic Party: ‘Let them’

Authored by ms.now

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has a message for political opponents using him as the new face of the Democratic Party: “Let them.”.

After all three of Mamdani’s endorsements bore fruit, a national spotlight shone on the mayor as a growing influence in the Democratic Party.

Asked on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday how he felt about Republicans making him the “poster child” for the Democratic Party, Mamdani said, “Let them. »

### Taliban order ban on smartphones as officials shown destroying devices

Authored by theguardian.com

The Taliban have ordered a sweeping ban on the use of smartphones by government officials – in what some analysts say could foreshadow broader, population-level restrictions.

In one video published online, a Taliban official appears to be shown reading the banning order from his phone while the other person is shown breaking phones.

Video appears to show Taliban officials smashing up smartphones after ban announced. »

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