Today in History: June 18, War of 1812 begins

Today is Thursday, June 18, the 169th day of 2026. There are 196 days left in the year. Today in history: On June 18, 1812, the War of 1812 began as the United States Congress approved, and President James Madison signed, a declaration of war against Britain.

 

Taiwan needs US weapons for self-defense as threat from China grows, diplomat tells AP

WASHINGTON (AP) – Taiwan needs to purchase American weapons to ensure its self-defense in the face of a growing threat from Beijing, the island’s top diplomat in the U.S. said, adding that he has seen no change in Washington’s policy toward the self-governing island that China claims as its own.

Editorials from The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

G7 leaders back Trump's deal to end Iran war as more details emerge

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) – Leaders at the Group of Seven summit on Wednesday threw their support behind U.S. President Donald Trump’s tentative agreement with Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and extend a shaky ceasefire.

Read the transcript of the US draft of the memorandum of understanding over Iran war

Senior U.S. officials on Wednesday read the memorandum of understanding with Iran to journalists after days of secrecy over what is in the document. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to read the draft, which Iran has not released, ahead of a formal signing ceremony set for Friday.

Federal Reserve keeps rate unchanged, but nearly half would support hike this year

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve kept its key rate unchanged Wednesday yet almost half the central bank’s policymakers said they could support a rate hike later this year, an unexpectedly aggressive outcome that would disappoint President Trump and suggests heightened concerns about persistent inflation.

The Trump Report: The Latest Updates

The Group of Seven wrapped up three days of talks in the French Alps on Wednesday with discussions on the contentious future of artificial intelligence. Executives of leading AI companies, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, attended discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders.

Trump delays national intelligence nominee, fueling tension with Republicans

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump on Wednesday derailed the confirmation process of his own nominee to head the nation’s intelligence agencies, an extraordinary move that upended Senate efforts to renew a crucial surveillance program that expired last week and fueled fresh tensions with fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill.