Good morning.<\/p>\n
Gas prices have risen above $6 in California<\/a> \u2013 but there is yet more uncertainty on the horizon after the last oil tanker from the Middle East arrived in the state this week.<\/p>\n The California Energy Commission vice-chair, Siva Gunda, told legislators on Tuesday<\/a> that the state could meet fuel demand for the next six weeks with its current supply. The New Corolla is delivering about 2m barrels of crude oil, the Los Angeles Times reported<\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n The arrival of the last tanker to the US state with the nation\u2019s highest gas prices could have a significant impact. While costs have risen in recent weeks, supply has not yet been severely affected as markets have continued to receive oil that was already in transit when the strait of Hormuz was closed.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Donald Trump has given Tehran a new ultimatum<\/a>, telling the Iranian leadership to accept a deal to end the war or face a fresh wave of US bombing \u201cat a much higher level and intensity than it was before\u201d. US Central Command said it had fired on an Iranian-flagged oil tanker attempting to breach the US blockade.<\/p>\n People in Tehran drive past an anti-US billboard depicting Donald Trump and the strait of Hormuz. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour\/Reuters<\/p>\n What do we know about progress on a deal? Axios reported on Wednesday that Washington and Tehran were close to agreeing on a memorandum of understanding to end the war. Officials in Pakistan told the Guardian that an initial framework could possibly be agreed within 48 hours \u2013 but that nothing was certain and talks remained \u201cdifficult\u201d.<\/p>\n Head to our liveblog for the latest<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alleged suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein unsealed by federal judgeThe alleged suicide note. Photograph: United States District Judge Southern District of New York<\/p>\n A federal judge unsealed an alleged suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein<\/a> on Wednesday, the first time the document has been made public.<\/p>\n Epstein\u2019s cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City, Nicholas Tartaglione, said he had discovered the note after Epstein attempted suicide in July 2019, weeks before he was eventually found dead in his cell.<\/p>\n \u201cThey investigated me for months \u2013 FOUND NOTHING!!!\u201d reads the note. \u201cIt is a treat to be able to choose one\u2019s time to say goodbye. Watcha want me to do \u2013 Bust out cryin!! NO FUN \u2013 NOT WORTH IT!!\u201d<\/p>\n Argentina races to find origins of cruise ship hantavirus outbreak, amid reports some passengers have returned to USHealth workers in protective gear evacuate patients from the MV Hondius cruise ship. Photograph: Misper Apawu\/AP<\/p>\n Investigators are racing to determine if the deadly hantavirus outbreak<\/a> that has killed three onboard an Atlantic cruise ship originated in Argentina, amid reports that some passengers have already returned to their home countries.<\/p>\n Three passengers of the MV Hondius have died, one is in intensive care in a South African hospital, and three others were evacuated<\/a> from the ship on Wednesday. Another man who left the ship earlier in the voyage has tested positive in Switzerland. There are mounting concerns about 23 passengers who left the ship on the island of Saint Helena on 23 April, as reported by the Spanish newspaper El Pa\u00eds.<\/p>\n Where is this group now? The cohort reportedly returned to their respective countries, including the US. The New York Times reported that passengers were being monitored in Georgia, California and Arizona, but none had shown signs of illness.<\/p>\n Where will the ship dock? It is headed to Tenerife, after Spanish authorities gave permission for the vessel to dock \u2013 though the president of the Canary Islands has expressed concern about this decision.<\/p>\n In other news \u2026Chedrick Greene, the Democratic candidate for Michigan\u2019s 35th Senate district. Photograph: Paul Sancya\/AP<\/p>\n The Democratic candidate won a special election in Michigan by a large margin, with Chedrick Greene\u2019s victory allowing the party to keep control of the state senate for the rest of the year<\/a>.<\/p>\n The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, will meet Pope Leo at the Vatican on Thursday, after Donald Trump\u2019s repeated attacks on the first North American pontiff<\/a>.<\/p>\n A Moscow university is playing a key role in training operatives in Russian military intelligence, including election meddling and hacking, documents obtained by a consortium of journalists reveal<\/a>.<\/p>\n The federal government can keep the 2020 election ballots from Georgia\u2019s Fulton county seized by the FBI from a warehouse near Atlanta, a judge has ruled<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stat of the day: 60% of Americans say US is no longer welcoming to immigrants, survey findsICE agents detain a person on 3 July 2025 in Stamford, Connecticut. Photograph: John Moore\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Six in 10 Americans believe the US is no longer a welcoming country<\/a> for immigrants, a poll has found. These respondents to the Associated Press-NORC poll, conducted last month, say the country used to be a great place for immigrants, but no longer is, underscoring the impact of Donald Trump\u2019s aggressive immigration crackdown.<\/p>\n The Filter recommends: The 17 best Mother\u2019s Day deals Photograph: Courtesy of Calpak Terra<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve still got a Mother\u2019s Day present to buy before this Sunday, take a look at the Filter US\u2019s guide<\/a> for a list of thoughtfully curated recommendations. From an adjustable sleep mask to a massage gun, it features some of the team\u2019s favorite products now on sale.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss this: Arthur Miller opens up about marriage to Marilyn Monroe in newly unearthed recordingsMiller and Monroe in 1957. The couple began an extramarital affair in 1955 and married in 1956. Photograph: New York Daily News Archive\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Newly discovered recordings of Arthur Miller reveal his feelings<\/a> about his short-lived marriage to Marilyn Monroe, with the playwright saying the actor wanted a husband who was a \u201cfather, lover, friend and agent\u201d. In the taped conversations, Miller also said he had felt \u201cdeath was always on her [Monroe\u2019s] shoulder \u2013 always\u201d.<\/p>\n Climate check: Climate campaigners attack Shell over \u2018windfall\u2019 profits from Iran warSoaring oil prices have led to steep increases in fuel bills for motorists. Photograph: Maureen McLean\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Shell has reported profits of $6.9bn after soaring energy prices<\/a> during the Iran war turbocharged gains for its oil traders, angering climate campaigners who criticized it for \u201craking in billions\u201d while millions suffered hardship. The oil and gas firm posted a 115% jump in first-quarter profits from the $3.2bn reported in the last three months of 2025.<\/p>\n Last Thing: The best album cover fails \u2013 from the ELO to Melanie CMel C\u2019s album Sweat. Photograph: Red Girl Records\/PA<\/p>\n Melanie C (AKA Sporty Spice) has released a new solo album. Unfortunately for her (and whoever made the typo) the vinyl release of Sweat spells her name as \u201cMelanine C\u201d. The Guardian\u2019s Pass Notes column looks at<\/a> the best album cover fails, including the Electric Light Orchestra debut album being mistakenly released as \u201cNo Answer\u201d in the US after the band\u2019s contact failed to pick up the phone and confirm the record\u2019s title.<\/p>\n Sign up<\/p>\n Sign up for the US morning briefing<\/p>\n<\/p>\n First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you\u2019re not already signed up, subscribe now<\/a>.<\/p>\n Get in touch<\/p>\n