NPR News covers Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing, where Democrats question his handling of Epstein files and investigations into Trump’s opponents. Markets rose as wholesale inflation cooled, though gas prices spiked due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Security warnings emerged in Germany regarding potential Iranian proxy attacks after a pro-regime newspaper listed political targets. Additionally, New York halted large AI data center development, and England faced Argentina in a historic World Cup semifinal.