July 19 2000 UTC Brief

In U.S. news Gas prices are climbing again, a development that weakens Republican hopes of using cheaper fuel to soften voter anger over inflation before the midterms. Separately, federal agents were told the FBI will no longer investigate physical confrontations involving ICE officers. The guidance was reportedly shared with FBI managers on Thursday, with some ICE agents notified the same day. In the Middle East A U.S. service member was killed and another wounded in northern Iraq during the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian attack drone, according to U.S. Central Command. The death came a day after two other U.S. service members were killed in attacks on an American base in Jordan, and one service member remains missing while unidentified remains are being examined. In Europe German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is signaling a possible cabinet reshuffle after Jens Spahn resigned as the conservative parliamentary leader, adding pressure on the ruling CDU ahead of key regional elections. In Brussels, the fight over Europe’s carbon market is opening up again. The European Commission wants to loosen some rules, ten member states are pushing for weaker limits, and seven others are warning against watering down the ETS. Across the Channel, Labour leader Burnham is set to use his first speech as prime minister to promise “more breathing room,” while acknowledging the UK’s brisk habit of burning through prime ministers. At the World Cup final Security concerns around Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium intensified after a viral warning and repeated public safety messages from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill. The match, between Spain and Argentina, was also expected to draw President Trump, and reporters said tighter checks led to long delays entering the stadium. Spain’s leader Pedro Sánchez also met Trump at the final, after nearly two years of strained ties over defence spending and U.S. policy in the Middle East.