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Read more US attacks Iran and Tehran retaliates across the Middle East as both vie for control of strait

By the Associated Press

President Trump is welcoming Iraq’s new prime minister to the White House on Tuesday after strongly backing the political neophyte in his bid for office.

Ali al-Zaidi, a businessman with no political background, emerged as a consensus candidate in Iraq after months of deadlock over the premiership following last year’s parliamentary elections. When al-Zaidi was formally installed as prime minister-designate in April, Trump said in a social media post that it was the “beginning of a tremendous new chapter between our Nations — Prosperity, Stability, and Success like never seen before.”

But Trump’s interest and involvement in the next leadership in Iraq began long before that statement.

Read more Supreme Court justices to testify before Congress on increasing security funding in rare appearance

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By the Associated Press

Inflation likely cooled last month as gas prices declined, providing consumers with some welcome relief even as renewed combat with Iran has sent oil prices climbing again.

The government’s latest inflation report, to be released Tuesday, is forecast to show that consumer prices dropped 0.2 percent in June, according to a survey of economists by data provider FactSet. It would be the first monthly decline in nearly four years. Compared with a year ago, prices probably rose 3.9 percent, down from a 4.2 percent annual rate in May.

Read more Willson Contreras, lifting the ball in the air like he’s never done before, has become the Red Sox’ primary power source

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