NB Now Briefing: Iran War Escalates, Cuba Crisis Deepens and California Landslides Worsen

The U.S. is sending more troops to the Middle East

Welcome to the NB Now Briefing, a roundup of the major stories shaping the week in global news, U.S. politics and culture.

U.S. deploys Marines as Iran conflict escalates

About 2,500 Marines are heading to the Middle East aboard up to three warships as tensions with Iran continue to rise. The deployment comes after two weeks of fighting, with Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial route for global oil shipments where roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States would not allow Iran to continue blocking the strait. He did not offer a timeline for reopening the route but said Americans “don’t need to worry about it.” Hegseth also warned that the current phase of the U.S. air campaign could become the most intense and lethal so far.

President Trump earlier encouraged protesters in Iran, saying the country could be “yours to take.” Later, he acknowledged that demonstrators would likely face deadly force if they attempted to challenge the government.

In other developments, the U.S. military confirmed that all six American crew members died in the crash of an aerial refueling tanker. Meanwhile, a video circulating online appears to show missiles launching from Bahrain toward Iran — what may be the first confirmed evidence of an attack originating from a Gulf country during the war.

U.S. officials have also reportedly sought assistance from Ukraine for its expertise in countering attack drones. Hegseth added that the leader of an Iranian unit accused of plotting to assassinate Trump had been killed.

Cuba signals talks with the U.S. amid deepening crisis

Facing a growing humanitarian crisis, Cuba’s government says it has opened talks with the United States. President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that discussions were underway with the Trump administration after a U.S. oil blockade pushed the island into severe fuel shortages.

Cuba has not imported fuel in three months, Díaz-Canel said, leading to widespread power outages and long stretches of darkness across the country. The announcement of talks appears to be a last-ditch effort to stabilize the struggling communist government.

Just a day earlier, Cuba released 51 prisoners — a move widely seen as an attempt to ease tensions with Washington.

Jewish communities question how much security is enough

Security concerns at Jewish institutions in the United States are growing after an attack near Detroit. A driver crashed a truck into a synagogue before later dying in a gunfire exchange with security guards.

The incident comes eight years after a gunman killed 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Since then, synagogues and Jewish community centers across the country have significantly increased security measures.

Those precautions may have prevented further tragedy in the latest attack. Still, many Jewish leaders say the rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide is raising difficult questions.

“We are synagogues — we are houses of worship,” one rabbi said. “We are not Fort Knox.”

A California city is slowly sliding toward the sea

In Rancho Palos Verdes, a coastal community near Los Angeles, the ground has been slowly shifting toward the ocean for decades. Recent heavy rains have accelerated landslides in the area, with the land in some places moving by as much as a foot per week.

What was once a quiet neighborhood has become increasingly unsettling for residents.

Yet some buyers see opportunity in the instability. Eilen Stewart purchased a home there for $1.3 million in 2024. Since then, the ground beneath her property has shifted significantly, and utility companies have cut off her gas and electricity.

Still, one unexpected change has improved her view: the homes that once stood in front of hers have sunk several feet.

Behind the scenes of this year’s Oscar contenders

Ahead of Sunday’s Academy Awards, filmmakers behind this year’s best picture nominees are offering a closer look at their work.

The Times asked the directors of the nominated films to walk through a key scene from their movies. Eight of the ten agreed, including Josh Safdie, who discussed a table tennis sequence from “Marty Supreme,” and Kleber Mendonça Filho, who highlighted a warm ensemble moment from “The Secret Agent.”

That’s it for this week’s NB Now Briefing, your roundup of the biggest developments in global news, politics and culture.

The United States is sending 2,500 Marines to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran and blockages in the Strait of Hormuz.

Cuba has begun talks with the United States as it faces a severe humanitarian crisis and critical fuel shortages.

Jewish communities across the U.S. are increasing security measures after an attack near Detroit, raising questions about how fortified houses of worship must become.

In Rancho Palos Verdes, California, landslides are slowly pushing the city toward the ocean, disrupting life for local residents.

Ahead of the Oscars, filmmakers behind this year’s nominated movies are sharing insights into key scenes from their films.