CNN 5 Things

Reports of mines being laid in the Strait of Hormuz and rising regional tensions. A massive storm system spawns dozens of tornadoes and threatens millions. Clemency granted to a death row inmate just before execution. A competitive Georgia House race moves to a runoff. Inside look at the opulent Oscars after-party menu and its charitable leftovers.

Reports on rising US troop casualties and shifting military posture in the Iran conflict. Coverage of threats and mined waters closing a vital oil shipping lane. Update on a suspicious device near the New York mayoral residence. Officials search a property once owned by Jeffrey Epstein. New telescope data rules out a previously feared lunar impact by a large asteroid.

Intense U.S. strikes on Iran and mixed signals about when the conflict might end. Reactions to Iran’s new supreme leader and possible diplomatic openings. A sharp drop in global oil prices despite exporter concerns. A crowded jungle primary to replace a vacated congressional seat. The FDA narrows approval of a folate-related drug, limiting its use.

Conflicting statements from the president about the Iran war timeline and regional strikes. Five Iranian women’s soccer players seeking asylum after safety concerns. Anthropic suing the U.S. government over being labeled a supply chain risk. A Texas family and mariachi siblings released from ICE custody. The unveiling of a 1.7-mile IndyCar street course around Washington, DC.

Coverage of Trump’s reaction to Iran’s new leader and regional developments. A look at wild oil market swings and their effects on gas prices. Stories on Iranian women soccer players being granted asylum abroad. Legal battles over tech and ticketing firms and a major lawsuit over supply-chain labeling. Report on a shooting incident outside a celebrity’s home with an arrest made.

Coverage of a global oil and gas shock driven by Strait of Hormuz disruptions and rising crude prices. Discussion of shifting leadership in Iran and related military and political moves. Report on intercepted missiles and European debate over deeper involvement. Investigation into IEDs in New York linked to extremist inspiration. Widespread flight delays tied to a partial government shutdown.

A new Supreme Leader is named, with ties to the Revolutionary Guard and political continuity concerns. Regional strikes and missile alerts drive oil past $100 a barrel. A seventh U.S. service member is reported killed amid questions about a recent strike. Long TSA lines stall travelers as staff work without pay. A fast food chain is hiring a $100K Chief Tasting Officer.

Hadas Gold, CNN AI correspondent who covers AI policy and industry, and Dean Ball, former White House science staffer and policy fellow, debate the Pentagon's pact with major AI firms. They unpack why deals with the Defense Department matter, Anthropic’s red lines on weapons and surveillance, OpenAI’s reversal, employee backlash, political influences, and broader policy stakes.

Various contributors include Andy Wang, a San Francisco Bay cleanup volunteer; Dr. Amy Beethy, a surgeon who helped keep six foster siblings together; Taylor Sartor, creator of an app that explains foster youth rights; marine divers who found a record coral colony; and Stephen Barnett, a 77-year-old motorcyclist chasing a world record. They share uplifting stories of community, adoption, legal tools, discovery, and adventure.

A final public tribute to a major civil rights leader sparks reflections on his political impact. Escalating strikes and reports of foreign support shift the landscape of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. Markets wobble as oil prices surge and weak jobs data fuels economic anxiety. A former college coach faces a surprising legal twist with plea developments and upcoming sentencing.