U.S. military destroys 5 Iranian oil tankers. And, the Smithsonian head resigns

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U.S. Central Command announced that it destroyed five Iranian oil carriers in the Gulf of Oman and near Iran's Kharg Island yesterday. In retaliation, Iran targeted U.S. troops stationed at an air base in Jordan. Since Saturday, the U.S. has struck eight Iranian crude tankers as part of its efforts to weaken Iran's economic lifeline. Turmoil from this war has pushed Brent crude oil prices back above $100 a barrel today.

An aerial view shows the sprawling BP refinery on Sept. 8, 2026, in Whiting, Indiana. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

The United Kingdom announced a ban on imports from Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank , accusing Israeli settlers of being "terrorists" who engage in "ethnic cleansing" against Palestinians . The move aims to pressure Israel over settlement expansion, which the U.K. argues undermines the two-state solution. Canada and France have also imposed sanctions, intensifying international pressure on Israel. Israel retaliated quickly with the announcement of the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem.

Smithsonian Institution head Lonnie G. Bunch announced yesterday that he would step down from his role at the end of the year. Bunch has spent nearly four decades with the organization , rising through the ranks starting as a curator before taking over the top position in 2019 and making history as the first African American and the first historian to lead the Smithsonian. His retirement announcement comes after more than a year of criticism from President Trump about the Smithsonian. In August 2025, the president called for a comprehensive internal review of eight Smithsonian museums and directed them to "celebrate American exceptionalism." In July 2026, the Trump administration accused the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History of "extreme political activism."

Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.

Copper peptides, known as GHK-Copper or simply GHK-Cu, are one of the latest social media skin care hacks. People have gone from smearing the compound on their faces to using injections, in hopes of achieving firmer, wrinkle-free skin and other anti-aging benefits. GHK-Cu isn't an approved drug, but there is considerable scientific research behind it. No published human studies show that injectable forms of the peptides are safe and effective. The risks are compounded by the fact that many people source these injectables from a grey market of online sellers. Here's what we know about the substance :

Ann M. Martin, at her home in New York state. She is the author and creator of the Baby-Sitters Club series , which turns 40 this year, as well as numerous award-winning standalone novels. DeSean McClinton-Holland hide caption