Two Big Stories: Conflict in the Middle East and Drug Deaths in the U. S.

The U. S. is getting more involved in the Middle East. President Trump has been talking tough about Iran. He threatened to target Iran's leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He also claimed that the U. S. controls the skies over Iran. Some lawmakers want to stop U. S. involvement in the war between Iran and Israel. Trump, however, is pushing back. The president has been using the word "we" when talking about the conflict. This blurs the line between Israel's goals and the U. S. 's. Trump has always been about putting America first. Even his close allies, like former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and former White House aide Steve Bannon, have advised him to stay out of this fight. But Trump insists that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. Israel has been warning about Iran's nuclear ambitions for years. Recently, Israel attacked Iran, claiming that Iran was speeding up its nuclear program. The UN's nuclear watchdog says Iran has enriched a lot of uranium to 60% purity. To make a nuclear bomb, 90% purity is needed. Israel wants the U. S. to bomb Iran's Fordow nuclear facility. This could take multiple bombing runs.

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security is targeting industries that employ many immigrants without legal status. This has employers in agriculture, construction, and hospitality worried. They fear losing their workforce. Trump has expressed concern about losing "good, longtime workers. " But Homeland Security is doubling down on its efforts. They say there is no safe space for industries that harbor criminals. Drug deaths in the U. S. are rising again. This is the first time in over a year that street drug deaths have increased. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that fatal overdoses rose by about 1, 400 deaths in the previous 12 months. Many factors influence these numbers, including changes in the drug supply and access to treatment.

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