Kim Vinnell

But in D.C., there are some small signs of progress.

Congressional reporter Richard Cowan explains the changes to ICE tactics that Democrats want before they agree to back a spending bill.

Richard says the clock is ticking to get a deal over the line.

The Pentagon is expected to send thousands of paratroopers to the Middle East, according to sources, even as U.S.

President Donald Trump talks about a possible deal to end the war.

Washington has sent to Iran a 15-point plan aimed at ending the conflict, and President Trump says negotiations with Iran are underway.

Iran and its Unified Command of the Iranian Armed Forces has again rejected claims of talks, saying that the U.S.

is negotiating with itself.

U.S.

foreign policy reporter Idriz Ali says, while we don't know when or where these latest soldiers will be going in the Middle East, we do know they come from the 82nd Airborne Division, which specializes in parachute assaults.

And that military buildup may well come in useful as President Trump weighs further military options.

The global economy remains tethered to the headlines out of Washington and Tehran.

For more on how markets are being impacted by the military ramp up and conflicting stories about whether talks for a ceasefire are happening at all, here's Mike Dolan from our sister podcast, Morning Bit.

Thanks, Mike.

MorningBid is available wherever you get your podcasts.

President Trump's approval rating has dropped to 36%, the lowest since he returned to the White House, according to a new Reuters Ipsos poll.

Contributing to that record low is Trump's handling of the economy and cost of living concerns, as gas prices have surged $1 a gallon since the US and Israel began hitting Iran in late February.

Only 29% of Americans polled say they approve of Trump's economic stewardship.

That's lower than at any point in Biden's term.

61% of respondents say they disapprove of the Iran war, and nearly half say it will make America less safe.