The House of Representatives has passed the “Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026” in a 237-169 vote, sending the bill to the Senate. The legislation, led by Republican Virginia Foxx alongside Democrat Josh Gottheimer, strips federal funding from any school found to carry out a “nonexpressive commercial boycott” of Israel — a provision that also covers boycotts of institutions based in Israel’s illegal settlements.

Notably, this isn’t a purely partisan crackdown — over 30 Democrats crossed the aisle to vote for the measure, underlining how deep pro-Israel lobbying runs in both parties, even as roughly 80% of Democratic voters and Democratic-leaning independents now hold negative views of Israel amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The bill effectively demands that universities not only refuse to boycott Israel but actively seek cooperation with it, treating any support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement or Palestinian rights as grounds for punishment.

Unsurprisingly, AIPAC publicly celebrated the vote.

The bill still needs Senate approval to become law, expected when the chamber reconvenes on September 14.

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Saudi Arabia’s crude exports fell last month to their lowest level in at least nine years, as attacks on tankers intensified amid escalating tensions in West Asia.

Tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, Vortexa and Kpler showed that Saudi oil exports averaged around 3 million barrels per day in August, the lowest level in records dating back to early 2017. The figure is consistent with estimates from crude traders and a person familiar with Saudi oil operations.

This week, two more tankers carrying Saudi crude were struck by projectiles in the strait. One of the vessels belonged to Saudi shipping company Bahri, which reported that two crew members were killed.

The attacks have made some Saudi customers increasingly hesitant to use the kingdom’s Red Sea ports, forcing Riyadh to consider alternative routes around Africa. Such voyages add thousands of kilometers to shipping routes and further disrupt global supply chains.

Tracking data showed exports through the western port of Yanbu rose to around 4.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in June, from approximately 770,000 bpd in January. Yanbu exports then declined to about 3.7 million bpd in July after Ansarallah announced a blockade on Saudi shipping, before falling further to roughly 2.25 million bpd in August. Meanwhile, shipments through the Persian Gulf, which had recovered slightly to around 800,000 bpd in July, declined again the following month.

According to a Hamas statement, a senior delegation led by Bassem Naim visited Iran and held talks with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the latest developments in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and occupied Jerusalem.

The delegation briefed Iranian officials on what it described as ongoing Israeli attacks despite the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, conditions in Israeli prisons, and efforts to implement the second phase of the ceasefire roadmap, stressing that Hamas remains committed to the agreement and that Israel has refused to fulfill its obligations.

It also called for international pressure to secure its implementation, humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

The statement said the discussions also focused on broader challenges facing the Palestinian cause and ways to strengthen support for Palestinian rights.

Iranian officials reaffirmed Tehran’s continued political and material support for the Palestinian people, briefed the Hamas delegation on the latest developments in the confrontation with the United States, and reiterated Iran’s commitment to implementing the agreed roadmap to end the war.

Hamas expressed appreciation for Iran’s support and emphasized the importance of continued consultation and coordination amid rapidly evolving regional developments.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged West Asian and North African countries on Wednesday to reject outside interference and consider restructuring the region’s security framework during his visit to Egypt.

During the visit, Xi said regional countries should be “masters of their own ⁠destiny” and consider developing a new regional “security architecture”, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.

Xi also said China was prepared to cooperate with countries in the region to protect shipping routes.

Xi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi agreed to strengthen security cooperation and coordination on counterterrorism, Xinhua reported.

Under a joint statement, China and Egypt also agreed to broaden cooperation in data centers, semiconductors and critical minerals supply chains, while promoting greater use of each other’s currencies in trade and investment.