An agreement has been reached between the United States and Iran to end fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz , according to President Donald Trump and details of a draft memorandum of understanding released by Iranian state-affiliated media Sunday.
The agreement includes a provision that Iran reaffirm its commitment to abstain from producing nuclear weapons, according to Iranian media. Trump has repeatedly said during negotiations that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.
“I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” Trump said.
A signing is scheduled for Friday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.
The Iranian Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council said via semi-official state news Tasnim late Sunday that, according to the agreement, all warfare between the parties would cease “immediately and permanently from tonight” and that the naval blockade would end.
UFC cage fights at the White House
The spectacle on the South Lawn is here: President Donald Trump’s UFC event is being held at the White House.
The action kicks off at 8 p.m. ET with seven fights, including a main event lightweight title bout between champion Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje.
Fans gathered Saturday afternoon on The Ellipse for Freedom 250’s “Fan Fest” event, a sprawling fair of booths and vendors set up in the park south of the White House. Natalie Keyssar for NBC News Watching just feet away will be the president, members of his administration, VIPs and thousands of active military members. NBC News is live in Washington, D.C., to cover all the action from one of the most unique sporting events ever.
Ahead of the UFC fight card on the White House lawn, thousands descended on Washington to celebrate the sport and the country’s birthday.
Poll: America at 250 is riven with doubt and pessimism — but with glimmers of hope
05:30
Americans have a bleak outlook on the nation’s future ahead of its 250th birthday next month, with most saying the U.S. has already seen its best days and a record-low number saying they are extremely proud to be Americans, according to a new NBC News poll.
Overall, the survey — sponsored by More Perfect, a nonpartisan nonprofit — shows that Americans believe their country has achieved many of the goals of its founders, but it is now falling short in living up to certain central tenets of the democratic experiment.
Among adults, 78% say the American dream is further out of reach than it was a generation ago. They also have little faith in their institutions — including the federal government, the news media and the high-tech industry. Even the military, which ranks the highest, has seen a pronounced drop in support.
For the first time in the poll’s history, a majority — 52% — say they have “very little” confidence or “none at all” in the federal government. In 2016, that figure was 34%.
The fight for Congress
Trump’s poor approval rating (42%, the lowest mark of his second term in NBC News surveys) continues to weigh down his party ahead of the midterms. Though the GOP has a slim measure of separation from the president, Democrats hold a five-point lead in the battle for control of Congress.
Among registered voters, 49% say they prefer to see Democrats control Congress as a result of this year’s elections, compared to 44% who prefer Republican control and 7% who are unsure.
Politics in brief
D.C.’s face-lift: Through war, inflation and sinking approval ratings, the president has devoted outsize energy to construction projects around Washington.
He likes Mike: Trump endorsed GOP Rep. Mike Collins in the Georgia Senate race, giving the two-term congressman a last-minute boost ahead of Tuesday’s primary runoff.
A different kind of redaction : A Kennedy Center official told a judge that all references to Trump inside, outside and online have been removed from the performing arts venue.
Knicks beat Spurs for first NBA title in 53 years
Getty Images; AP The New York Knicks are NBA champions.
It is a sentence that had not been written in 53 years. But Saturday in Texas, the Knicks ended more than a half-century of waiting by closing out San Antonio, 94-90, in five games for New York’s third NBA title and first since 1973.
“Sorry it took so long!” Knicks owner James Dolan said with the entire roster behind him and the Larry O’Brien trophy just feet away.
Despite being largely boxed out of tickets, Knicks fans arrived in droves in Texas’ Hill Country, where they watched Jalen Brunson lead New York to a 16-point comeback to clinch the title. Though it was a close game , Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs made late-game mistakes that will surely follow the franchise into the offseason.
The Knicks’ championship shattered two long-held NBA assumptions: that a franchise that struggled for so long lacked the ability to reach the top of the league again,…
Read the full article at NBC News →
United States