Iran war costed $25B, Trump-Putin call, Supreme Court weakened minority voting rights, US intensified pressure on China, Militant attacks across Mali

On April 29, 2026, a senior Pentagon official has confirmed that the U.S. war in Iran has cost an estimated $25 billion during its first two months. Most of the $25 billion has been spent on munitions, specifically tens of thousands of bombs and missiles used in Operation Epic Fury. The US Supreme Court's conservative majority weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, making it harder to challenge racially discriminatory electoral maps. The ruling is expected to allow states to create maps that reduce the voting power of Black, Latino, and other minority communities. The aviation industry is facing a severe crisis as jet fuel costs have significantly outpaced the rise in crude oil prices since February 2026. While crude oil prices rose roughly 50-60% since February 2026, jet fuel prices surged by over 120%, peaking at approximately $216 per barrel. Western allies, including the United States, have reportedly urged Ukraine to scale back its drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure. Significant reductions in Russian export capacity—estimated to have dropped by at least 40%—could further destabilize energy markets. Ahead of a scheduled high-stakes mid-May summit in Beijing between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, the United States has intensified economic and diplomatic pressure on China to strengthen its negotiating position. The Al-Qaeda-linked coalition JNIM, in alliance with the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), launched massive, coordinated dawn attacks across Mali on April 25, 2026, marking a significant escalation against the military junta. On April 29, 2026, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a significant phone call lasting over 90 minutes to discuss the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran.