New York Times

1. Navy Secretary John Phelan Is Leaving the Pentagon and the Trump Administration

   John Phelan is leaving the Pentagon after months of tension with Pete Hegseth and other Pentagon leaders. The tumult comes as the Navy has been engaged in war with Iran.

2. Combative, Defensive and Occasionally Contrite, Kennedy Walks a Fine Line

   In four days of congressional testimony, the health secretary sought to please the White House and his MAHA base at the same time.

3. RFK Jr. Says His Department Advises All Children to Get Measles Vaccine

   Testifying on Capitol Hill, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continued to back away from his criticism of the measles shot. But he spoke on behalf of his department, not himself.

4. Iran Says It Seized Two Ships

   Also, China quietly builds an island in disputed waters. Here’s the latest at the end of Wednesday.

5. Iran Again Tightens Its Grip on Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz

   Traffic in the strait has all but halted as Iran renews its attacks, striking two vessels on Wednesday. More than 300 ships linked to Iran have passed through the strait since the war began.