First Thing: Oil prices surge as attacks on Saudi Arabia stoke supply fears

Oil Prices Rise Above $108 a Barrel After Pipeline Disruptions in Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Conflicts

Good morning. Oil prices climbed above $108 a barrel following reports of drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory that prompted Saudi Arabia to close its east-west crude pipeline. Saudi traders indicated the kingdom could face export shortfalls if the pipeline remained closed beyond several days. Gasoline prices also increased in response. Energy prices have risen throughout the year as conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran have affected oil and gas flows in the Middle East, according to market analysts.

The developments occurred as Houthi forces in Yemen carried out multiple strikes on Saudi targets and took control of the island of Perim in the Bab al-Mandab strait on Sunday, according to statements from the group. This action expanded their influence over the shipping route. Iraq’s government stated that the drone attacks originated from its territory and initiated an investigation into the launches. Baghdad faces pressure from multiple parties to prevent militant organizations, including some that receive backing from Iran, from conducting operations against Gulf states using Iraqi land. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he viewed Tehran as responsible for the incidents.

Saudi Arabia has increased reliance on the 745-mile east-west pipeline since the escalation of hostilities with Iran to avoid the closed Strait of Hormuz. The country, the world’s largest oil exporter, has directed roughly 4 million barrels per day through the line, representing about 4 percent of global supply. With the pipeline offline, stocks at the Red Sea port of Yanbu are projected to support exports for five to seven days.

AI-linked stocks declined after executives from Anthropic, OpenAI, and SpaceX endorsed proposals to moderate the pace of artificial intelligence development, citing risks of uncontrolled advancement. The share movements followed comments from Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei urging the sector to reduce speed. A former Anthropic staff member had previously warned that artificial intelligence systems could contribute to human extinction by 2030. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk expressed support for Amodei’s position. President Trump, during a visit to a golf course in Ireland, characterized the warnings as overstated and attributed them to “very negative forces” raising concerns about events that would not occur.

Amodei outlined three measures: U.S. artificial intelligence firms would provide access to independent evaluators; companies in democratic nations would adopt shared safety protocols; and leading democratic countries would coordinate with governments such as China to manage competitive pressures in the field. Former President Barack Obama called on Democrats to develop a coordinated policy on artificial intelligence safety, stating that reliance on voluntary measures by technology companies would not suffice for effective oversight.

Israel has faced accusations of seeking to remove conditions that support Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, according to a report issued by the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem. The group stated that Israeli actions have intensified across multiple areas of Palestinian life in the territory. The report described an accelerating displacement of Palestinian communities alongside growth in Israeli settlements, characterizing the process as sustained damage to the elements that allow Palestinians to maintain land, institutions, language, culture, social connections, leadership, shared history, and political prospects.

A Republican member of Congress from Wisconsin swam to shore after the light aircraft he was traveling in made an emergency landing in a lake on Saturday evening. Representative Tom Tiffany, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor and has received an endorsement from President Trump, stated that the plane lost power while approaching Wausau downtown airport after he attended an event in La Crosse County. The pilot executed the landing in Lake Wausau. Tiffany and the pilot swam to land and received treatment at a nearby hospital for minor injuries.

Sweden’s center-left parties held a narrow lead of one seat in the national election after most ballots were counted. The election authority indicated that a preliminary tally might not be completed until Thursday. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson noted that while voters had participated, a final outcome remained pending.

President Trump reiterated a proposal to provide U.S. adults with a $5,000 payment if Republicans retain control of Congress following the midterm elections. A San Jose police officer was dismissed after using the department’s license plate tracking system to disclose the location of a woman to an individual accused of abusing her. A coroner in Pennsylvania reported the death of a 40-year-old woman connected to an ongoing measles outbreak in the state. A statue of activist Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point USA headquarters was damaged by vandals. Actor Sydney Sweeney drew criticism for appearing in an advertisement for a sports betting platform.

One-third of wildfires in France last year were attributed to deliberate ignition, making arson the leading identified cause, according to experts cited by Jon Henley. Authorities continue to examine patterns among individuals accused of starting fires.

Residents in parts of Puerto Rico, including the San Juan neighborhood of Santurce, have organized through groups such as Coalición Exigimos Agua to address ongoing water access issues. The coalition has highlighted infrastructure and supply challenges affecting daily needs.

New research has documented the involvement of British monarchs across generations in the transatlantic slave trade, identifying thousands of individuals and entities that benefited from the trafficking of enslaved Africans. Records include names of monarchs, members of Parliament, and merchants.

An architectural review criticized proposed structures associated with President Trump, including a planned Independence Arch, as altering the character of Washington, D.C., through large-scale additions that reflect personal preferences rather than established design standards.

Production of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances has increased to meet demand from the artificial intelligence sector, raising concerns that expanded output could affect existing efforts to limit these chemicals, according to the campaign group ChemSec.

A 70-year-old hiker reported missing for one week on Isle Royale in Lake Superior was located by the U.S. Coast Guard over the weekend. Craig Berg was found injured and hypothermic but conscious and responsive, according to a service statement.