The United States is bolstering its military presence in the Middle East amid growing concerns of a potential Iranian attack on Israel. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directed the deployment of a guided-missile submarine to the region and expedited the arrival of a carrier strike group. The USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered submarine equipped with cruise missiles, was conducting operations in the Mediterranean Sea after completing training exercises near Italy.

WHY THE US HAS DECIDED TO INCREASE MIDEAST PRESENCE

Exhausted from a rising cost of living in the US and non-stop ads, some young adults on TikTok are pushing back. Social media has long had room only for picture-perfect homes, lavish closets and an abundance of beauty products. But a new trend is urging repurposing, more frugal lifestyle and placing quality over quantity. The "underconsumption core" spotlights living sustainably and using what you have, a reversal of the excess and wealth that dominates ad-heavy Instagram and TikTok.

YOUNG AMERICANS DISCOVERING MORE FRUGAL LIFESTYLE

Paris bid a triumphant "au revoir" to the Olympics, which was widely praised for staging of the global sporting spectacular. A dazzling closing ceremony that culminated with Hollywood star Tom Cruise abseiling off the roof of the Stade de France in front of 71,500 spectators was the crowning glory of what has been broadly hailed as one of the greatest. IOC president Thomas Bach said the Paris Games had been "sport at its best" before passing the torch to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games.

SEE THE GROUNDWORK BEING LAID FOR THE 2028 LA GAMES

In 2028, Los Angeles will join what cities as three-time Olympics host?

Monday's answer: "Deadpool & Wolverine" earned $211 million in its opening weekend, surpassing the record set by the original "Deadpool".